| "After axing the assault weapons ban from the Senate's comprehensive gun violence prevention plan, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is struggling to scrape together enough votes to pass the centerpiece of the plan: universal background checks. Republicans are refusing to vote for it, and even several Democrats in red states are wavering on their support. According to Greg Sargent at the Washington Post, these key votes include Senators Kay Hagan (D-NC), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). Universal background checks are considered essential to the gun bill. They would close the "gun show loophole" that currently allows anyone to skip a background check if they buy a gun through a private sale. "Private" transactions between individuals or at gun shows are the origin point for 80 percent of guns used in crimes." |
Read the rest of the story HERE:
At thinkprogress.org
At thinkprogress.org
