For years, gun control has not been a topic of debate in Congress. But after the horrific shootings at a Connecticut elementary school, the issue of gun violence has returned to the forefront.

Congress has only been in session for about a week, but House Democrats already have proposed 11 bills to restrict sales of guns or bullets, expand background checks and promote gun safety. Two Republicans, meanwhile, have proposed repealing the Gun-Free School Zones Act.

Most of these bills will go nowhere, as evidenced by their lack of cosponsors. Some, such as the Blair Holt federal gun licensing bill, are perennials that die in committee. But they do show that the range of opinion on what to do about guns has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. Below, a closer look at the 11 proposals.

H.R. 21: NRA Members’ Gun Safety Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.)

Co-sponsors: None

What it would do: Require background checks for all gun sales, closing the gun-show loophole. Require background checks for employees of gun stores. Require gun owners report lost or stolen firearms. Set new rules for concealed weapons permits.

H.R. 34: Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.)

Co-sponsors: None

What it would do: Require background checks for all gun sales, closing the gun-show loophole. Require owners of handguns and semiautomatic weapons to register for a federal firearms license. End private sales of guns. Require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms. Create a federal clearinghouse for data on gun-related injuries and deaths. 

H.R. 35: Safe Schools Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas)

Co-sponsors: Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.)

What it would do: Repeal the Gun Free School Zones Act, which bars possession of firearms in a school.

H.R. 65: Child Gun Safety and Gun Access Prevention Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas)

Co-sponsors: None

What it would do: Raise the minimum age for owning a gun from 18 to 21. Increase penalties on juveniles convicted of a second gun-related offense. Increase penalties for selling or giving a gun to the under-aged. Require gun buyers to have a secure gun storage or safety device. Require parents or legal guardians to ensure that an adult accompanies their child to a gun show. Provide grants for local safety classes for parents and children. 

H.R. 93: Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act

Sponsor: Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.)

Co-sponsors: 13 Democrats, including party leader Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.) 

What it would do: Make it illegal for a gun dealer whose license has been revoked to give or sell inventory to an individual gun collector or to an employee.

H.R. 117: Handgun Licensing and Registration Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.)

Co-sponsors: None

What it would do: Create a mandatory federal licensing system for registering handguns.

H.R. 133: To Repeal the Gun-Free School Zones Act

Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.)

Co-sponsors: None

What it would do: Repeal the Gun Free School Zones Act, which bars possession of firearms in a school.

H.R. 137: Expand Background Checks

Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.)

Co-sponsors: None

What it would do: Require background checks on all gun sales, closing the gun-show loophole.

H.R. 138: Large-Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices

Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.)

Co-sponsors: Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.)

What it would do: Bar the sale or gift of large-capacity ammunition feeding devices.

H.R. 141: Require Criminal Background Checks

Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.)

Co-sponsors: None

What it would do: Require criminal background checks of all sales at gun shows.

H.R. 142: Ammunition Sales

Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.)

Co-sponsors: None

What it would do: Bar Internet sales of ammunition. Require licenses for ammunition dealers. Require reporting of bulk purchases of ammunition.