WASHINGTON — Mayor Bloomberg yesterday lauded Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for pushing forward a gun-control bill that focused on universal background checks for gun buyers.
“Since the tragedy in Newtown, millions of Americans have demanded that Washington take action to prevent gun violence — and now common sense legislation is one step closer to passage,” gushed Bloomberg, who has pumped millions of dollars into his gun-control group Mayors Against Illegal Guns, which he co-chairs.
Reid (D-Nev.) has been under fire from the left since he dropped a proposed assault-weapons ban from the Democrats’ gun legislation. The ban had no chance of passing and Reid opted for the more popular background check.
“This sensible reform — with overwhelming support from Americans, including gun owners — will save lives and keep our communities safer,” Hizzoner said.
He noted that Reid promised votes to amend the bill to include bans on assault weapons and high-capacity ammo clips. But they, too, are expected to fail.
An overwhelming 88 percent of Americans, including 85 percent of gun owners, support universal background checks, a new Quinnipiac University poll has found.