Friday, April 12, 2013

US Senate Opens First Gun Control Debate in Years

Volunteers place grave markers on the National Mall in Washington DC as over 3,300 crosses, stars of David, and other religious symbols are placed to remember those affected by gun violence 11 April 2013 
Gun control supporters have erected a temporary memorial for those killed by guns since a massacre at a Connecticut primary school in December

BBC

The US Senate has opened debate on a proposal to expand criminal background checks on gun buyers.

The bipartisan move marks the most serious consideration of gun control legislation in 19 years, though many hurdles remain before final passage.

Meanwhile, gun control advocates have gathered in Washington DC to make an emotional push for new restrictions. 

The powerful gun lobby vows to oppose new gun control measures, arguing the US Constitution forbids them.

Thursday's procedural vote to begin debate passed 68-31, with a handful of Republicans joining all but two Democrats, who have the majority in the chamber.

It is the furthest into the legislative process any gun control bill has moved since 1994, when an assault weapons ban passed.

2 comments:

  1. The bill's dead already, it just doesn't know it yet.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unlikely to pass the Senate, dead on arrival in the House.

    ReplyDelete