Gun control backers: Senate defeat won't stop us

[onehandle]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and his gun control allies say Senate rejection of expanded background checks and other restrictions won't stop their drive to reduce firearms violence. But their path to enacting gun curbs this year seems blocked by the National Rifle Association, and supporters of restrictions appear befuddled about what it will take to push legislation through this Congress.

The Senate planned to vote Thursday on two more amendments to a gun control bill. One by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., would cut aid to state and local governments that release information on gun owners. Another by Sens. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., would bolster federal mental health programs.

But just four months after a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., the Senate proved unwilling Wednesday to approve the key elements of President Barack Obama's response to the massacre. Lawmakers rejected broader federal background checks and bans on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, jarring gun control backers who thought Newtown would spur Congress to act and delivering a victory for the NRA and a defeat for Obama.

"I see this as just Round One," the president said at the White House, surrounded by relatives of Newtown's victims and badly wounded former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/gun-control-backers-senate-defeat-wont-stop-us-065741656--politics.html

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Screw you, NRA. And your enablers.

And those in Washington that genuflect in front you.

[Laelth]

2. Sigh. I am convinced that gun control is a losing issue for Democrats.

I am not impressed by the President's taking a strong stand on this issue. I think it hurts Democrats much more than it helps.

-Laelth

[Laurian]

3. Do you think the President should only address easy issues?

What's the point of electing Democrats if they're only going to do easy things rather than important things. I prefer to tackle the hard, but important issues with a chance of failure than to accept the status quo.

[Laelth]

11. I hear you.

I certainly do want the President to tackle difficult issues--just not gun control. I'd rather see him fight for economic justice, and that is a much harder fight--one that he has shown little interest in pursuing.

The American people are, by and large, liberal (on nearly every issue--just not gun control). On that issue, there is a clear urban/rural divide, and I do not blame rural-state Democrats for toeing the NRA line.

I think gun control is a losing issue for Democrats, and I'd like to see the national party take a neutral stance on it, or, at the very least, take a federalist stance (i.e. this is an issue that should be left to the states to decide).

While I am a die-hard liberal, I do not support gun control at all in this political climate, not because I oppose gun control in principle, but because it's a losing issue. It's just another wedge, and it's a very effective one. I am willing to let go on this one so as to focus on other, more pressig, issues.

This may seem calloused and calculated, and it is, but we need to win at the polls in all 50 states. The Democratic Party's perceived stance on gun control does great damage to liberal interests.

-Laelth

[mac56]

14. It's too bad that you feel that way.

If gun control is a wedge issue, then so be it.

Sometimes the apple cart needs to be upended.

And I don't believe that the American people are as opposed to gun control as you think they are.

As the old saying goes, if we don't stand for something we'll fall for anything.

Just my .02

[Laelth]

16. Fair enough.

Regards,

-Laelth

[AnotherMcIntosh]

4. Same here.

[JohnnyBoots]

5. If he

had acted like this, with regard to gun control, before the election he would not have beee re-elected.

[Laelth]

12. Precisely. It's a losing issue for Democrats. n/t

-Laelth

[NickB79]

18. And in 2014, some Democrats will have to distance themselves from him

In order to win re-election in their home states that have strong histories of gun ownership.

That is not a good position to be for a politician. At this rate, we'll end up losing seats in the Senate.

[Island Deac]

6. This is pretty simple.

It's the USA vs. the NRA

USA! USA! USA! USA!

If you are not with us, it's pretty simple that you are AGAINST us!

[SHRED]

7. Where is the list of Senators that voted NO?

Can we have their names?

[Botany]

9. Here you go

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00097

Harry Reid voted no for procedural reason ..... it allows him to bring the bill back up later.

[SHRED]

10. thanks

[Botany]

8. Gabby Giffords, "Speaking is physically difficult for me. But my feelings are clear: I’m furious."

shameful actions by those senators ..... BTW Harry how is your "handshake deal"
w/Mitch McConnell working out?

[Blandocyte]

13. Keep pushing on guns, and keep moving on mental health

The combo of crazy + guns is what results in mass shootings, so working on both additives is a great idea. If work on one slows down, don't lose sight of the other.

[geek tragedy]

15. I guess he has to say that, but so long as rural America gets to determine our gun policy

there ain't nothing that's gonna change.

[Sunlei]

17. round 2 Mr. President should be-turn over the straw sellers to Mexico for trial.

Mexico said recently, 70% of the guns in their country came from America. The NRA are giant gun runners, sales are all they care about.

Americans have a right to own guns. It's still a crime in America and Mexico to smuggle guns.