The US Senate on Monday failed to muster the votes to pass any of several competing bills aimed at making it more hard for potentially risky individuals to purchase firearms. Omar Mateen, who appeared on the terrorist watch list and was questioned twice by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (in 2013 and 2014) was still able to purchase the semi-automatic weapon used to kill 49 earlier in June. The Justice Department endorsed the amendment, which failed in a 47 to 53 vote. One would have kept extremists from acquiring guns and another was created to shore up the government’s existing system of required background checks for many firearms purchases.
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After Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy’s 14-hour filibuster on Wednesday prompted a vote on gun control regulations, we hoped something was FINALLY going to change. Collins’ plan would prevent people on the no-fly list from buying guns, but according to ABC News, “There were no signs Monday that it was getting wide support or would receive a vote”. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., would have allowed the attorney general to halt sales to suspected terrorists and allow individuals to appeal to the Department of Justice if they are denied a firearm. It would also make it easier for government officials stop a gun purchase based on “reasonable belief” rather than “probable cause” that the individual would use the weapon to commit a terrorist act. John Cornyn, R-Texas, attributed failure of the discussions to what he characterized as Feinstein’s lack of respect for Constitutional gun rights. It didn’t matter to Senate Republicans when 14 people were gunned down in a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, and it still doesn’t matter to Republicans after 49 innocent Americans were murdered in a terrorist attack in Orlando, FL.
Monday’s votes could end up affecting upcoming Senate races. The final vote tally was 44 to 56. An NBC News/Survey Monkey online poll conducted after the Orlando massacre last week found 61% of those surveyed support stricter gun laws; 38% opposed them.
That amendment failed 47-53, with Donnelly joining all Democrats except North Dakota Sen.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said Monday that “no one wants terrorists to be able to buy guns”.
Ayotte, who is in a tough re-election race in New Hampshire, says she will vote for the amendment sponsored by Democratic Sen. This allowed gun control advocates to add national security and the spectre of terrorism to their arguments for firearms curbs.
Gun enthusiasts view Sig Sauer rifles at the NRA’s annual convention in May 2016. It failed to advance, also on a 53-47 vote. Most Republicans agains the measure said it didn’t protect the Second Amendment rights of people who were on the terrorist watch list – which reportedly includes about 800,000 names – by mistake. Flake tweeted out after Monday’s no votes that they are expecting a vote this week.
That proposal failed, but it’s still close to the top of the gun control agenda; President Obama issued executive orders regulating some gun show sales earlier this year, and Senate Democrats are taking another stab after Orlando.
Without comment or a dissent, the justices dismissed appeals from gun rights advocates in CT and NY who contended the state bans violated their rights under the Second Amendment.
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Collins’ legislation would allow gun sales to be blocked for people on just two lists: The No Fly list and the Selectee list. People buying firearms from federally licensed gun dealers can now be denied for several reasons, chiefly for serious crimes or mental problems, but there is no specific prohibition for those on the terrorist watch list.
