April 18, 2013

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate rejected a bipartisan effort to expand background checks to more buyers of firearms. The proposed legislation would have required background checks for all transactions at gun shows and online. Currently, such background checks occur only for sales handled by licensed gun dealers. Senators also voted down bans on assault weapons and high-capacity gun magazines.

Political experts described the vote as a blow to the widely supported drive to curb firearms that was sparked by the massacre in December of children and staff at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. They also noted that the vote was a major defeat for President Barack Obama. The president has made broadened background checks the centerpiece of his gun control proposals. Speaking at the White House after the vote, President Obama characterized the Senate’s failure as “a pretty shameful day for Washington.” The Senate also voted down a Republican-backed bill to expand permission to carry concealed weapons.

Additional World Book article:

• National Rifle Association