Biden insists McConnell is a 'rational Republican' who may come around on gun control, even as the GOP blocks legislation

President Joe Biden insisted Republican Senate Minority LeaderMitch McConnell is rational and could agree to gun control despite the party's longstanding refusal to seriously entertain policy changes on firearms.

On Monday, Biden told reporters that he was unsure of whether Republicans would compromise, noting that he has not been negotiating with any of the Republicans yet.

I don't know. McConnell is a Republican. Biden said that Cornyn is as well.

He denied that he has the ability to implement widespread gun reform through executive action. On a visit to Uvalde over the weekend, demonstrators begged the president to do something about gun violence.

I cannot dictate this stuff. I can do the things I have done and I will continue to do them. I cannot outlaw a weapon. I cannot change a background check. He said that he could not do that.

The Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde, Texas that left 21 people dead after an 18-year-old man opened fire on a classroom of fourth- graders, prompted Biden to call on Congress to pass restrictions on assault weapons.

McConnell signaled his willingness to work with Democrats on a bipartisan push for gun safety legislation, but he did not endorse any specific proposals.

McConnell encouraged John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, to talk to key Democrats who are interested in trying to get an outcome related to the problem.

The Senate Minority Leader has spent decades in Congress discouraging his peers from supporting gun legislation in the wake of mass shootings and refused to bring gun control bills to a vote despite more deadly mass shootings when Republicans controlled the Senate, The Washington Post reported.

The latest push by Biden to get Republicans to compromise is the result of the fact that Republicans have shot down many of his legislative priorities.

In April, Biden announced a series of executive actions targeting gun violence.

There is no rational basis for weapons with 100 round magazines, according to Biden.

There is only one reason for something that can fire 100 shots. When the Second Amendment was passed, you couldn't buy a cannon.