WASHINGTON: The US Senate could vote as early as Wednesday on expanded background checks for gun buyers, but leading lawmakers said yesterday it was uncertain whether the contentious proposal could gather enough support to pass.
The compromise legislation offered by Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania is seen as President Barack Obama’s best hope for meaningful gun-control law in the wake of last year’s mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
“We expect the vote this week. Wednesday is probably the most likely day for the Manchin-Toomey alternative,” said Toomey on CNN’s “State of the Nation.” “It’s an open question whether we have the votes. I think it’s going to be close.”
The legislation calls for expanded criminal background checks of gun buyers to be required for commercial sales, including those made at gun shows and online. However, sales by private persons would be exempt.
The background checks, intended to prevent criminals and the mentally ill from buying guns, have met stiff opposition from Republicans who argue that the rule infringes on the constitutional right of law-abiding Americans to own guns.
Reuters
