US Senate Opens Debate on Gun Control

With a vote of 68-31 the United States Senate opened debates making the way for legislation to further curb gun violence in the face of strong Republican action to block legislation concerning gun control. Majority Leader Harry Reid said that they are in for much hard work now that the procedural vote is through. This is the first major gun control legislation put before Congress since 1994.

The Senate vote for the gun control measure went as such: 50 Democrats, 16 Republicans, and 2 independents for a total of 68 votes in favor of the debate. The 31 votes blocking the measure came from 2 Democrats and 31 Republicans. President Obama reportedly spoke to relatives of the Sandy Hook Elementary School via telephone soon after the vote.

A win

This is the first win for staunch supporters of gun control in the US as rallies and demonstrations on firearms restriction continue in Washington. The vote was preceded by lobbying from both sides. But this is just the first of many steps and significant challenges and amendments are expected. Moreover, after it has been approved in the Senate (mostly Democrats) it would have to undergo rigorous discussion before approval by the House of Representatives (dominated by Republicans).

Tragedy and gun violence

The renewed campaign against gun violence was brought on by the tragic events at Sandy Hook in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012. Six adults and 20 children were killed during the incident. President Obama started prioritizing the issue of gun violence and pushing for gun control legislation after the horrific Sandy Hook incident. The President called the Sandy Hook tragedy the worst day of his presidency.

President Obama is very active and vocal about his anti-gun violence advocacy. He made public speeches in Colorado and Connecticut in order to build support for the gun control measures. He even flew family members to Washington in time for the proceedings this week in Air Force One.

Expanded background checks

The President proposes to improve school security, tighten checks for gun buyers, and add more restrictions to existing policies with regard to gun trafficking. The expanded background checks will also involve transactions made online as well as in gun shows. Checks are necessary so that the mentally ill and those with criminal intent will not have access to guns. The expanded background check is most probably the first amendment that will be offered in the upcoming debates according to Connecticut Senator Christopher Murphy.

Infringements on the 2nd Amendment

But the reality is that many of the amendments being advocated by the President and pro-gun control senators would not get approval on the Senate, and Republican opposition is expected to topple the legislation. The main counter-argument is that gun control proposals infringe on the right of every American to bear arms based on the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Now that the debate will soon be underway, a significant piece of legislation may or may not be passed. But the first step has already been made.

Photo Credit: March on Gun Control