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US Senate rejects amendment to expand gun-sale checks | US Senate rejects amendment to expand gun-sale checks |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A bipartisan plan to expand background checks on gun buyers has failed in the US Senate, a blow to gun control plans. | A bipartisan plan to expand background checks on gun buyers has failed in the US Senate, a blow to gun control plans. |
The plan was blocked on a 54-46 vote, six votes short of the 60-vote hurdle needed to clear the chamber. | The plan was blocked on a 54-46 vote, six votes short of the 60-vote hurdle needed to clear the chamber. |
The proposal, put forward as an amendment to a broader gun bill, seeks to widen the current checks to include online and some gun show sales. | |
The vote will be seen as a victory for gun rights groups, who say the checks would violate the right to bear arms. | The vote will be seen as a victory for gun rights groups, who say the checks would violate the right to bear arms. |
President Barack Obama is campaigning for tighter gun laws after 26 people died in a school shooting in Connecticut in December. | President Barack Obama is campaigning for tighter gun laws after 26 people died in a school shooting in Connecticut in December. |
In remarks at the White House with a family from Newtown, Mr Obama called Wednesday "a pretty shameful day in Washington" and vowed to continue his push for new gun laws. | |
'A lie' | |
The expanded system of background checks, which had been the centrepiece of the president's agenda, was blocked by most Senate Republicans and some Democrats. | |
Plans for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines have already been removed from the gun-control bill, amid lack of political support. | Plans for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines have already been removed from the gun-control bill, amid lack of political support. |
Polling suggests that more than 80% of Americans supported expanded background checks, but recent opinion surveys show support for generally stricter gun laws has dipped from a high of 58% in January to 48%. | |
Patricia Maisch, a survivor of the 2011 Arizona shooting that killed six people and severely injured former Representative Gabby Giffords, shouted "Shame on you!" from the Senate gallery as the bill was blocked. | |
The plan was considered as an amendment to a larger gun-violence bill in the Senate. The bipartisan deal was first brokered by Democratic Senator Joe Manchin and Republican Senator Pat Toomey. | |
On Wednesday, Sen Manchin said allegations by America's top gun lobby group, the National Rifle Association, that the proposal would require checks for sales and gifts between family and friends and lead to a national registry as "a lie". | |
He said: "Where I come from in West Virginia, I don't know how to put the words any plainer than this: That is a lie. That is simply a lie and anybody who can read knows that is not factual." | |
Mr Obama also said the gun lobby had "willfully lied about the bill" and that a vocal minority of gun owners had "intimidated" senators into voting against the plan. | |
The proposal had exempted transfers between family and friends, and had explicitly banned the justice department from setting up a national gun registry. | |
'Failed test' | |
In a statement following the blocking of the bill, the NRA hailed the defeat of the amendment. | |
"As we have noted previously, expanding background checks, at gun shows or elsewhere, will not reduce violent crime or keep our kids safe in their schools," said the statement. | |
Three other Republicans joined Sen Toomey in backing the plan - Arizona's John McCain, Maine's Susan Collins and Mark Kirk of Illinois. | |
Democratic Senators Mark Begich of Alaska, Max Baucus of Montana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Mark Pryor of Arkansas voted against the measure. Senators Begich, Baucus and Pryor are all seeking re-election next year. | |
Mr Obama slammed the senators who voted against the Manchin-Toomey plan, arguing the legislation would tighten gun safety while respecting second amendment rights. |