WASHINGTON A bipartisan group of lawmakers is sounding increasingly optimistic about reaching a deal on narrowly crafted legislation to address gun violence following a spate of mass shootings, including the elementary school massacre in Uvalde, Texas.

Ive never seen more Republicans willing to discuss changes in our gun laws than I did today, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said in an interview on MSNBC after a virtual meeting of eight senators on Wednesday. He cited growing momentum in Congress to get something done.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), one of the GOP members in the group, also expressed a positive note.

We are making rapid progress toward a common sense package that could garner support from both Republicans and Democrats , Collins said in a statement.

The list of items the group is discussing is fairly limited. It includes proposals to bolster mental health, strengthen the background check system for gun buyers, provide for safe storage of guns, and encourage states to pass red flag laws that allow authorities to temporarily seize firearms from people determined to be a danger to themselves or others.