Senate introduces bipartisan gun control bill
Just a day after voting down four gun control measures, the Senate introduced a bipartisan bill Tuesday aimed at preventing individuals on the terrorism watch list from purchasing a gun. The legislation would give the attorney general permission to block gun sales to suspected terrorists, and allow those individuals denied guns to appeal in court. "Essentially we believe that if you are too dangerous to fly on an airplane, you are too dangerous to buy a gun," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who led the bipartisan effort.
The latest bill applies to a smaller list of suspects than the two similar gun-control measures that were struck down Monday. Rather than using the full terror watch list, Collins' proposal would only include those on the no-fly list and those on the "selectee list," which The Hill reports "requires additional screening at an airport."
Collins said a vote could take place as early as this week. Despite some Republican senators' indications of support for the bill Tuesday, it is unclear whether the measure could get the necessary 60 votes to pass.