Newsdeck

Newsdeck

U.S. Democratic Leader Says Assault Weapon Ban Lacks Support In Senate

U.S. Democratic Leader Says Assault Weapon Ban Lacks Support In Senate

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said on Tuesday that fewer than 40 of his chamber's 100 members support a White House-backed bill to renew a ban against military-style assault weapons.

The scant support virtually assures rejection of the bill, a centerpiece of Obama’s bid to curb gun violence in wake of a massacre at a Connecticut elementary school on Dec. 14 that left 20 children and six adults dead.

“Right now,” Reid told reporters, the bill drafted by Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, “has less than 40 votes.”

A simple majority would be needed to win passage of the bill in the Democratic-led Senate, but 60 would likely be required to first clear an anticipated Republican procedural roadblock.

Obama, Feinstein and others backers of the bill to renew a ban against the sale and manufacture of military-style assault weapons, argue that the firearms should be removed from the street.

But opponents, a number of Senate Republicans, along with some Democrats from rural areas where guns are popular, argue that the action would amount to a violation of the right to bear arms, which is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

Democrats control the chamber, 55-45, meaning that a number of Reid’s fellow Democrats have made it clear that they intend to oppose the bill. DM

Photo: Harry Reid (Reuters)

Gallery

Please peer review 3 community comments before your comment can be posted

We would like our readers to start paying for Daily Maverick...

…but we are not going to force you to. Over 10 million users come to us each month for the news. We have not put it behind a paywall because the truth should not be a luxury.

Instead we ask our readers who can afford to contribute, even a small amount each month, to do so.

If you appreciate it and want to see us keep going then please consider contributing whatever you can.

Support Daily Maverick→
Payment options

Become a Maverick Insider

This could have been a paywall

On another site this would have been a paywall. Maverick Insider keeps our content free for all.

Become an Insider

Every seed of hope will one day sprout.

South African citizens throughout the country are standing up for our human rights. Stay informed, connected and inspired by our weekly FREE Maverick Citizen newsletter.