WASHINGTON — Sen. Charles Schumer yesterday demanded that background checks be conducted on all gun sales in the nation, just days before such legislation is expected to hit the floor of the US Senate.
The New York Democrat — joined by NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly — said at a press conference that the legislation would close a loophole that allows sales at gun shows by private dealers to be made without the scrutiny.
“That’s commonly called the ‘gun-show loophole,’ and it’s a loophole big enough to drive a truck through,” Schumer said, flanked by victims of gun violence.
Republican Tea Party freshman senators are leading opposition to the bill, criticizing its record-keeping aspects. They are threatening to filibuster.
“Even the opponents of gun-safety legislation owe it to the country and to the people behind me to at least let us have a debate on this issue,” Schumer said.
“The country wants and needs this debate.”
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) yesterday bucked any filibuster plan.
“I don’t understand it,” McCain said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” “The purpose of the United States Senate is to debate and to vote and to let the people know where we stand. What are we afraid of?”