Top US Senate Democrat Harry Reid berated Republicans Tuesday for threatening to block a gun control bill, saying inaction shows lawmakers are failing to keep America’s children safe from gun violence.
Reid introduced the legislation this week for formal debate on the Senate floor, coinciding with President Barack Obama’s 11th hour appeal to Congress to allow a vote.
The Democrat-backed bill includes expanded background checks for gun sales, felony penalties for gun trafficking, and new funding to boost school safety.
Obama on Monday visited Connecticut, where he spoke near the site of last December’s massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, and flew back to Washington with family members of the young victims. Many of those relatives are lobbying lawmakers this week.
“It is long past time for a thoughtful examination of the lax laws and the culture of violence that put Newtown… on the map for such a devastating reason,” Reid said on the Senate floor, as he stood before a Newtown memorial sign with the words “They deserve a vote.”
“I only hope Senate Republicans will allow us to have that conversation. I hope Republicans will stop trying to shut down debate, and start engaging on the tough issues we were sent to Washington to tackle.”
Reid has said he would allow senators to offer various amendments to improve the legislation.
“We have a responsibility to safeguard these little kids,” Reid added. “We are really failing. We need to do more.”
The veteran Senate Democrat recalled the personal tragedy of his father’s suicide, as he reiterated his call for expanded background checks.
“Sometimes people in a fit of passion will purchase a hand gun and do bad things with it — even as my dad did, kill themselves,” Reid said, noting how he passed legislation in his state of Nevada which requires a three-day waiting period to receive a purchased hand gun.
“Waiting a few days helps,” Reid said.
Despite intense efforts to get bipartisan backing for the legislation — Democrat Joe Manchin is reportedly in negotiations with Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey, a senator with an A grade from the National Rifle Association — positions appeared to be hardening.
Reid said he received a letter from 13 Republican Senators expressing opposition to the gun bill and threatening to use a blocking procedure known as a filibuster to prevent it from coming to a vote.
They were joined Monday by top Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, his office said.
Reid blasts Republicans, demands Senate vote on guns
