American Right To Bear Arms Dodges A Bullet
Obama's attempt to further infringe on Americans' right to bear arms was defeated in the US Senate. There were 60 of 100 votes needed for an un-filibusterable approval. Only 40 Senators supported a ban on the arbitrary category of "assault weapons"; 46 a limitation on magazine capacities which would have thrown us technologically back to the early 19th century in that category of weapons performance.
Even t he background check, which would have made it difficult or even impossible to obtain guns in an emergency (such as after receiving credible death threats) managed to get 54 votes, still short of the threshhold.
And 57 Senators -- a majority -- voted for a provision which would have made concealed-carry permits applicable nationwide. This also was below the threshhold, but by less than was the background check.
This shows that both the US Senate and the American people are still firmly on the side of gun rights, even in the wake of a spectacular mass shooting.
Obama 0, Constitution 1 on this issue.
Even t he background check, which would have made it difficult or even impossible to obtain guns in an emergency (such as after receiving credible death threats) managed to get 54 votes, still short of the threshhold.
And 57 Senators -- a majority -- voted for a provision which would have made concealed-carry permits applicable nationwide. This also was below the threshhold, but by less than was the background check.
This shows that both the US Senate and the American people are still firmly on the side of gun rights, even in the wake of a spectacular mass shooting.
Obama 0, Constitution 1 on this issue.