Fifty-four senators supported the gun bill (a ban on assault weapons and a ban on high-capacity gun magazines) but they did not manage to overcome the 60-vote treshold. Opponents of this bill argued that it would violate the right to bear arms and “that passions (especially the Newtown massacre) had no place in the making of momentous policy.“
Here are several interesting comments:
President Obama : “a pretty shameful day for Washington.” (abou Wednesday when the bill was blocked) "Most of these senators could not offer any good reason why we wouldn't want to make it harder for criminals and those with severe mental illnesses to buy a gun."
Gabrielle Giffords, former Arizona congresswoman : "These senators made their decision based on political fear and on cold calculations about the money of special interests like the National Rifle Association, which in the last election cycle spent around $25 million on contributions, lobbying and outside spending"
Patricia Maisch, a survivor of the mass shooting in Arizona: “Shame on you.”(she shouted from the Senate gallery after the bill was blocked)
I should probably also say something about this in class. The procedures involved in killing the reform are odd and somewhat confusing, but also have an interesting history.
ReplyDeleteYes, please. And I would really like to hear your theory about the American logic, plus why many Americans are so bad at geography :D
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