Jillian Soto, Miya Rahamim and Carol Gardner (Getty Images)
PAIN & PROGRESS: Sen. Charles Schumer yesterday praises the efforts of Newtown kin (l-r) Jillian Soto, Miya Rahamim and Carol Gardner to move the gun debate forward. (
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WASHINGTON — With family members of Newtown, Conn., massacre victims looking on, the Senate yesterday voted to let the debate over gun-control legislation move forward — overcoming the objections of conservative lawmakers and the gun lobby.
The 68-31 vote included 16 Republicans and prevented a threatened filibuster that could have derailed a proposal to expand background checks on gun buyers and strengthen federal laws barring illegal firearm sales.
Before the vote, Newtown relatives Jillian Soto, Miya Rahamim and Carol Gardner stood outside the Senate chamber as the names of the 26 Sandy Hook Elementary School victims were read aloud — a reminder to lawmakers inside. The three later watched the vote unfold.
“When something like this happens, there is darkness, just darkness, and it’s hard to light a candle and bring some light,” said New York Sen. Charles Schumer, who joined the parents. “You’ve done that.”
Yesterday’s vote kicks off what will be a hard-fought debate over gun reform that will begin in earnest Tuesday. The debate will likely involve votes on dozens of amendments, including renewed calls for bans on assault weapons and ammunition clips holding more than 10 rounds.
Senate Democrats were buoyed by support from Republicans, many of whom were quick to point out that their vote was to let the debate go forward and not an endorsement of any new legislation.
“We ought to have this debate. We shouldn’t be afraid of it,” said Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) after voting to let the bill come to the Senate floor. “People ought to see where we stand.”
Some Republicans vowed to fight the legislation at every step.
“I’m not going to vote for anything that weakens the Second Amendment, anything,” said Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), who had voted to block debate.
The vote came a day after two senators introduced bipartisan legislation to expand background checks to private sales at gun shows and online. Currently, only sales through licensed dealers require such scrutiny.
The amendment to close the gun-show loophole was introduced by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).
Toomey, who has an “A” gun-rights rating with the National Rifle Association, was hailed yesterday for his action by Mayor Bloomberg, one of the nation’s most vocal gun-control advocates and an NRA nemesis.
“Make no mistake about it, I will support that guy,” Bloomberg said.
“I respect Pat Toomey for standing up . . . He didn’t do it for political reasons, that’s for sure.”
Vice President Joe Biden, who is leading the White House effort on gun control, stayed on the offensive yesterday, ridiculing assault-weapon owners.
“They just like the feel of the AR-15 at the range,” Biden said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program. “You know, it’s like driving a Ferrari.”
Additional reporting by David Seifman