US Senators again failed to protect the American public by voting down strong and effective measures to close the terror gap and and institute universal background checks on gun sales.
In votes on June 20:
- Senators voted down Senator Feinstein’s amendment, 47-53, which could have prevented anyone on the federal terrorism watch list and other terrorist databases from buying firearms or explosives. Also voted down was the weak substitute amendment, 53-47, introduced by NRA-supported Senator Cornyn of Texas, 53-47, which would have required the government to delay, during a 72-hour review period, the purchase of a gun by anyone who is a terrorism suspect.
- Senators voted down Senator Murphy’s amendment, 44-56, that sought to tighten background checks for gun buyers at gun shows and on the internet. Also voted down was the weak substitute amendment, 53-47, introduced by NRA-supported Senator Grassley of Iowa, that was more focused on the mental health system.
There was no vote taken on an assault weapons ban to help prevent mass shootings.
Today’s Daily News says it all.
Senator Murphy said the votes show the National Rifle Association has Congress bottled up. “I’m mortified by today’s vote but I’m not surprised by it. … The NRA has a vice-like grip on this place,” he said after the four proposals were defeated.
A CNN/ORC poll released just yesterday found that 92% of Americans voters support universal background checks and 85% of American voters support preventing those on the Terror Watch and no-fly lists from owning guns.
This week, the House of Representatives may have a chance to weigh in on common sense gun regulation if Speaker Paul Ryan agrees to call a vote on gun violence prevention proposals. Inaction on his part will be evidence of his complicity with the gun lobby’s agenda.
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