ATLANTA — America just elected a president endorsed by the National Rifle Association, and Republicans soon will control both houses of Congress and the White House, just as they do the Legislature and governor’s office here.

The timing of a renewed push to ban certain semiautomatic weapons in Georgia isn’t exactly ideal.

“It’s a bad political time to have a smart, open, honest discussion about guns,” Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, acknowledged to reporters this week. “But I do not choose to be silent on this issue.”

Oliver has pre-filed a bill prohibiting the sale or possession of the kind of rifles that have gained notoriety as the weapon of choice in mass shootings in Newtown, San Bernardino, Aurora and Orlando.

Her proposal is similar to the one she pitched last legislative session, which never received a hearing. This time, the continued possession of the weapons would be a misdemeanor offense, rather than a felony.

The measure targets military-style firearms that are designed to quickly fire multiple, high-velocity rounds, as well as large-capacity magazines and armor-piercing bullets.

Several models, including AR-style rifles, and manufacturers are specifically named in the bill.

Such bans have so far survived legal challenges in other states, such as Connecticut.

Oliver also noted a recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll that found 48 percent of respondents support banning the sale of assault weapons.

“Even though we represent half of Georgia, our voices are not being heard,” she said during a meeting at the Capitol.

Oliver decried the “total absence of bipartisan dialogue” on the issue.

“I really wanted to get beyond nothing, no way, no discussion. That’s what my real goal is,” she said in an interview.

Oliver said she is open to discussing more stringent permitting for assault weapons, as opposed to an outright ban, or a training requirement.

Oliver’s proposal, though, is unlikely to get far.

“The Republican majority has very clearly stated that we are not there to do anything to harm or reduce a Georgian’s Second Amendment rights,” said Rep. Rick Jasperse, R-Jasper, the north Georgia lawmaker who authored the 2014 “Guns Everywhere” legislation. “We’re not going to do it.”

Jasperse noted that many people – including him – own semiautomatic weapons.

House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, said in a statement that any kind of firearm prohibition “would only remove them from the hands of law-abiding citizens.”

“While I respect Rep. Oliver’s convictions, her proposal remains a non-starter,” Ralston said. “In Georgia, we will continue to preserve the protection that the Second Amendment provides.”

Rather, lawmakers will continue looking for ways to expand the state’s gun laws, Jasperse said.

He and other proponents of broader firearm laws found success last year only to meet resistance from a surprising source. Republican Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed two of Jasperse’s gun bills, including a controversial campus carry measure.

Jasperse said this week that he and others will return in January and continue “pecking away” at laws limiting where licensed gun owners can carry. He said it’s still too early to say what bills will be filed and which legislators will sponsor them.

It’s also too soon to say what effect Donald Trump’s presidency will have these discussions on the state level, but the Republican’s surprise victory has left Georgia conservatives feeling more optimistic.

“I think the threat that licensed Georgia weapons owners had from a Democratic presidency is gone. I think everybody is just breathing a sigh of relief,” Jasperse said.

Jill Nolin covers the Georgia Statehouse for CNHI’s newspapers and websites. Reach her at jnolin@cnhi.com.