ALAN FRAM, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats are preparing a legislative push to curb guns, a week after a mass shooting at an Oregon community college refocused attention on the nation’s toll of firearms deaths.

Republicans controlling Congress have shown scant interest in restricting guns and the Democratic effort has little chance of success. But their drive could keep the issue alive during next year’s elections and complicate GOP senators’ re-election campaigns in some closely divided states.

Democrats say their push would include broadening background check requirements to cover all sales at gun shows and online. Republicans blocked similar legislation in 2013 after the killing of 20 students and six staffers at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.

A gunman killed nine people last week at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon.  One person died and three others were wounded following an early morning shooting at Northern Arizona University early Friday.