Crapo, Risch back two GOP gun measures, oppose 2 Dem ones; all four fail
The U.S. Senate voted on four separate gun proposals yesterday; all failed. Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch voted in favor of the two Republican proposals, from Sens. Grassley and Cornyn, and against the two Democratic proposals, from Sens. Murphy and Feinstein. Here are their statements:
Crapo: “It is not surprising that some are trying to use recent tragedy to change the Second Amendment rights in our Constitution. We must not allow these attacks to result in diminishing the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.”
Risch: “Enacting new regulations on guns raises difficult questions about the protection of a constitutionally guaranteed right. No one wants potential terrorists or those who wish us harm to have access to a weapon, but in keeping weapons out of these people’s hands it is vital we guarantee law-abiding Americans’ rights are not denied without due process. I believe Senators Grassley and Cornyn both offered amendments that thoughtfully balanced the protection of constitutional rights with the need to improve public safety. Their legislation would update and improve our current processes, provide necessary judicial oversight, and defend against an administration that would attempt to overreach its authority.”
Cornyn’s proposal would have allowed the U.S. Attorney General to block the sale of a gun to someone on the terrorism watch list for three days while an investigation into potential wrongdoing takes place. Feinstein’s would have blocked anyone on the terrorism watch list from purchasing a firearm, allowed the Attorney General to prohibit someone from buying a weapon if there is “reasonable belief” it would be used for terrorism, and notified the U.S. Department of Justice if someone on the terrorism watch list attempts to buy a gun.
Murphy’s proposal would have required mandatory background checks for every gun sale; Grassley’s called for a study on the cause of mass shootings and additional funding to the National Criminal Instant Background Check System, among other items.
Roll Call has a full report here on the debate and votes.
