Story highlights Julian Zelizer: Activists should accept Susan Collins' gun control bill even if it isn't perfect

He sees parallel to Civil Rights Act of 1957, which paved way for more significant steps

(CNN) The first sign of hope in the gun control debate in many years came this week as Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, offered legislation that would prohibit people who are on the "no fly" and other surveillance lists from purchasing guns. Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer told reporters, "There may be a glimmer of hope now" since the proposal seemed to be a "step in the right direction."

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Unlike almost any other legislation that has been floated on Capitol Hill, Collins' measure seems to have some bipartisan support , although the odds against it are significant, especially given the National Rifle Association's opposition.

Many proponents of gun control will certainly feel that this bill is less than satisfactory. The legislation is a far cry from the kind of comprehensive gun controls that they have been fighting for over the past few years. But in politics it is important not to let the perfect be the enemy of the possible.

If Collins can push her measure through the House of Representatives and Senate, with President Barack Obama's support, it would mark the first significant legislative breakthrough since 1994 when President Bill Clinton obtained support for an assault weapons ban (that the Republican Congress failed to renew in 2004).

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Highlighting the importance of the issue of gun control, Rep. John Lewis of Georgia is leading a sit-in of Democrats on the House floor.

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