Summary: Despite public outrage over the Orlando nightclub shooting, the Senate was unable to pass any gun control measures on Monday.
Despite the outrage against lenient gun laws spurned by the Orlando nightclub shooting, senators couldn’t pass a series of gun control measures on Monday. CNN reports that this is “the latest in a long string of failed attempts at enacting tighter curbs on firearms in the United States.”
- To learn more about the Orlando Shooting, check out: “Orlando Shooter Responsible for Biggest Mass Shooting in History”
After a well-publicized filibuster, senators, Democrat and Republican, introduced new gun control measures that they claim would strengthen background checks and stop suspected terrorists from obtaining firearms. Their call for action was a direct response to the Orlando Shooting, as well as other high profile mass shootings such as Sandy Hook. Omar Mateen, the Orlando Shooter, was already on the FBI Terrorist Watch List when he was able to legally obtain an automatic assault rifle. On June 12, he entered Pulse, a gay nightclub, and he shot and killed 49 people and wounded 53 before he was taken down by police.
While the senators provided emotional reasons for the need for gun control, their efforts proved to be futile. CNN blamed election year politics as well as the longstanding gridlock that has come up every time the gun issue has been brought up.
Senator Chris Murphy (Connecticut-D) reacted angrily to the gun control defeat. He said that the majority of Americans are tired of the country’s gun violence, and they want politicians to restrict gun-buying.
“I’m mortified by today’s vote but I’m not surprised by it. The NRA has a vice-like grip on this place,” Murphy said.
- Related article: Mass Shootings: Mental Health May Not be to Blame
The Senate rejected four proposals. The first was presented by Republicans, and it asked to update the background check system to include mental health records. It failed to get the 60 votes it needed to move forward. A second proposal sought to expand the background check system to gun shows and online purchases, and it received a vote of 44-56.
The third proposal, also created by the GOP, would delay gun sales to anyone on the government terror watch list. The last failed proposal was introduced by Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, and it asked to ban all terror watch individuals from buying weapons.
A fifth option is expected to be introduced by the GOP and voted on today.
Source: CNN