What did we actually lose in the failure of the Manchin-Toomey amendment?

[HereSince1628]

I've read all 49 pages of it. It's detailed impacts are difficult to understand without having awareness of the existing law(s) that it amends.

I can't claim to grasp all the implications, but the following things seem to result:

All the shortcomings of the existing law for background checks remain open.

$100,000,000 for states to improve reporting to the NICS is not made available.

A provision for making clear the exception of reporting of mental health records from privacy restrictions under HIPAA requirements is not enacted.

A congressional commission to study mass violence and report recommendations for federal action to reduce gun violence will not be authorized. The amendment doesn't seem to have actually provided a budget to make it function, but the scope, goals, objectives and basic organization of the commission would have been authorized.


If you are aware of other things or think I misrepresented the consequences please feel free to comment, my head is still congested with the fog of trying to pick out what is available outside of the meaning of inserting 'ors', and replacing shotguns and rifles to firearms, and such.

[BlueStreak]

1. Here's what we lost

We lost the opportunity for a 100% toothless bill to become law, while still keeping the door wide open to private sales and positively blocking any national data bases of gun ownership. And we missed the opportunity for Wayne LaPierre to call a news conference after the next Sandy Hook, saying

"I told you gun laws never work. Now let's go require that every man, woman, and fetus carry loaded street-sweepers with them at all times."

Thanks, but no thanks.

[HereSince1628]

3. So I'm getting you think nothing was lost...

[BlueStreak]

7. Correct

This was a case that losing was much better then winning that POS bill.

My fear is that Obama will not recognize that and do his usual negotiating thing, further watering down the bill (if such a thing is possible), just so he can say we passed something. I hope he is smarter than that.

[librechik]

2. momentum in the media

we're losers now, so media will be reluctant to follow us.

[HereSince1628]

4. I suppose it seems very bad for seriously pragmatic people who would NEVER risk losing

anything.

[librechik]

6. media sux

they don't control our behavior--just who gets to hear about it.

[HiPointDem]

5. interesting. rec for doing the research. to hear some, you'd think the bill was epochal.