Gun Bill Round Up
Legislation that protects gun manufacturers and distributors against lawsuits involving gun crimes passed its first Senate test Wednesday.
Democrats said the cost to Republicans would be public votes on extending the assault weapons ban and requiring comprehensive background checks at gun shows.
The bill providing for immunity from lawsuits won the support of 75 senators in a test vote, and opponents acknowledged the measure has the backing to pass. Still, several Democrats and Republicans plan to force votes on less popular gun measures.
“We all know this underlying bill has legs. That’s why we want to get some amendments on there,” said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.
Democrats want to add a plan that deals with gun shows, where unlicensed sellers do not have to check buyers’ backgrounds. They also want to extend for 10 more years the ban on assault weapons, which will expire in September.
“If we can’t amend this bill to add the assault weapons ban, we’re not going to have another vehicle this year,” said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
But the bill’s Republican supporters insist that any attempt to make changes would simply amount to an attempt to kill the bill. For example, the GOP-controlled House already has said it does not plan to approve an extension of the assault weapons ban.
Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, a sponsor of the bill, said the amendments were an “attempt to divert legislation and delay final consideration.”
The White House, which has indicated support for the assault weapons ban and the gun show measure, called on the Senate to pass the legislation without amendments.
“Any amendment that would delay enactment of the bill beyond this year is unacceptable,” according to a White House statement released late Tuesday.
Democrats took that statement as an indication that President Bush was backing off his support for those two separate measures. “For the president to say he’s for the assault weapons ban and act against it, that is a flip-flop if I’ve ever seen one,” Schumer said.
John Lott warns the immunity bill could be shot down. If there are AWB and the other amendments attached, it needs to be shot down.
John Warner (RINO-VA) has completely reversed his position from ten years ago. Guess he doesn’t like his day job because I doubt he’ll have it much longer.
Speaking of, it is odd that Daschle co-sponsored the immunity bill and has been satisfied with Bush’s Iraq efforts. I think Alphie is right, Daschle must be in election trouble at home. Liberals in conservative states usually are.
And in case you don’t know it, Lautenberg is a liar. It was funny to watch his Freudian slip in which he referred to liberal, uhm frivolous lawsuits. I’m not being smarmy, he really said it like that.
