Obama: Senate “failed the American people” on gun control laws it rejected

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate rejected four gun control laws Monday.

President Barack Obama said Tuesday morning the Senate “failed that test” in striking down the laws.

“Gun violence requires more than moments of silence. It requires action,” the President said.

Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, Chris Murphy of Connecticut (Democrats) and John Cornyn of Texas and Chuck Grassley offered up the amendments, which all failed to gain the 60 votes needed for passage. The amendments to the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act would have expanded background checks and other measures for people on terrorist watch lists.

Feinstein lashed out after the amendments failed, saying “Well, here we go again. Another mass shooting—this time the largest in history. Forty-nine dead, 53 injured. Another chance for Congress to take meaningful action. Another missed opportunity. Today, we couldn’t even agree to prevent known and suspected terrorists from buying guns. The power of the gun lobby over certain members of the Senate seems boundless.”

Senator Chuck Grassley’s amendment received a majority of votes in the Senate, but failed on a vote of 53-47. He responded after the vote:

“The terrorist attack on innocent people in Orlando represents a great tragedy and an affront to our way of life and very existence as Americans. Americans have every reason to be upset and even furious over the deadliest attack since the awful events of September 11th. We should be addressing the real problem of radical Islamic terrorism, but instead the Democrat leadership has taken their eyes off the ball and is trying to turn this tragedy into another debate about guns.

“The other sides says that no progress is being made on gun crimes. We could have made important improvements through my amendment which would have improved and enhanced the background check system, approved a major increase in authorized funding for the background check system, and ensured that law enforcement be notified if a person who has been investigated for terrorism over the last five years tries to buy a gun. The amendment also would have addressed mental health through new definitions and clarifications, provided additional due process protections, required reports to Congress on various issues related to firearms prosecutions, and would have directed any gun walking tactic to be approved by the Justice Department leadership.

“But, unfortunately Senators who are unwilling to support important progress are putting a higher premium on politics. The Second Amendment right to bear arms is a fundamental right and any legislative action must start and finish with recognition of this fact.”

Grassley defended his amendment leading up to its rejection after is was said the measure “would take people off the background checks list.”

Grassley responded: “The TRUTH of the matter is that (the) amendment simply demands that the federal government provide constitutional due process in order to protect the Second Amendment rights of Americans, just as due process is required when the federal government attempts to infringe upon other constitutional rights, such as the First Amendment right to free speech and press and Fourth Amendment right to privacy. Despite what some may say, Second Amendment rights aren’t any less than First or Fourth Amendment rights.”

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said that the amendment would “take people who were leaving a psychiatric institution and allow them to buy a weapon the next day.”

Grassley responded: “In TRUTH, (the) amendment actually necessitates an appropriate official to make the determination that the patient BOTH no longer requires involuntary commitment AND the person is not a danger to himself or others. A patient can’t simply leave the hospital and buy a gun. Even if the patient is discharged, the appropriate official must also conclude that he is not a danger to himself or others, before the person is eligible to purchase a firearm.”