Vote on Federal Gun Bills Delayed by Senate Committee
OutdoorHub Reporters 02.28.13
The Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed talks on four gun-related bills until next week. According to Politico, this kind of a delay is considered normal for the committee and the wait will give time for necessary bipartisan negotiations.
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is moving forward with her “assault weapons” ban, the most hotly-debated of the four new bills. Strong opposition is coming from both moderate Democrats and gun-owner groups like the National Rifle Association. Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said the measure will get a vote next week and promised to stay in session as long as necessary.
The delay will allow Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) to finalize an agreement on “universal background checks.”
The bipartisan work on Schumer’s bill reached an impasse after Coburn objected to a record keeping add-on. Currently background check records are destroyed after approval, with a sale record being kept by the seller. The bill would mandate permanent records. Which specific agency would keep them is up for debate.
