Posted on 06/21/2016 12:03:22 PM PDT by jazusamo
"Essentially we believe that if you are too dangerous to fly on an airplane, you are too dangerous to buy a gun," Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told reporters.
The legislation would allow the attorney general to block the sale of a gun if an individual is on the "no-fly" list or the so-called "selectee" list, which requires additional screening at an airport.
Collins said the two lists affect approximately 109,000 people, most of whom are foreigners.
The legislation would allow the decision to be appealed. If successful, Collins said Americans and green card holders could get their attorney fees covered if their appeal is successful.
It also includes a "look back" provision that would notify the FBI if someone who was on the broader terror watchlist in the past five years buys a gun.
In addition to Collins, Republican Sens. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) appeared at Tuesday's press conference.
Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine (Va.), Bill Nelson (Fla.), Martin Heinrich (N.M.) and Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.) and Independent Sen. Angus King (Maine), who caucuses with Democrats, also appeared in support of the bill Tuesday.
Collins’s bill is expected to get a vote, but she'll need 60 supporters for the provision to through the Senate. Democrats say about 20 GOP senators would need to back the bill to get it past the threshold.
Collins said a vote on her measure could happen this week or next week, depending on the floor schedule.
Heitkamp said they still needed to gauge support among the Democratic caucus, but that she believes Democratic senators "are ready to get something done. They're ready to move the ball forward."
Kaine urged Democrats to support it, arguing it would allow them to keep pushing for support for stronger background check laws.
"I'm sick of the shootings. I'm sick of the vigils. ... I'm sick of the claims that we'll do something about it. I'm sick of the partisan rhetoric," he told reporters.
But senators in both parties have largely stayed on the fence on the Collins' proposal.
Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said "the due process issues matter so much to people,” noting that the legislation was still evolving early Tuesday afternoon.
Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), one of three Democrats who voted against a broad background check measure Monday, said "absolutely I'm interested in it," adding he still needed to read it.
Collins' proposal comes after the Senate on Monday evening rejected — largely along party lines — two proposals aimed at blocking suspected terrorists from buying a gun. They also voted down two gun-control measures.
Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) pointed fingers Tuesday morning about who was to blame for Congress' inaction.
Reid said Republicans let their actions "be dictated by the National Rifle Association (NRA).”
"Here's a little secret for my Republican colleagues. The NRA doesn't care about you. It doesn't care about your constituents. It doesn't care about the constitutional rights of the followers," he added.
McConnell blamed the stalemate on Democrats, calling Cornyn's amendment a "serious proposal ... and Democrats voted against it."
Feinstein's proposal would have allowed the attorney general to block the sale of a gun if there was a "reasonable suspicion" if a person had been or would be involved with a terrorist attack.
Cornyn's would have allowed the attorney general to temporarily block the buying of a gun as a court decided whether or not the sale should be permanently blocked.
Democrats have focused on gun issues ahead of the November election, accusing Republicans of putting loyalty to the NRA ahead of stopping potential acts of terrorism.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) — who waged a 15-hour filibuster last week — called Collins' legislation "encouraging" but added that the "devil is in the details."
"I've talked with everyone in Democratic leadership, I think it's clear that if we can get a compromise that is going to materially increase public safety and keep terrorists from getting guns we're going to vote for it," he added.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) praised Collins for making a "valiant effort," but said while an outline of the bill "seems to be a step in the right direction,” it also has "fixable problems."
Bump!
I live in Maine and I hate that b*tch.
I wrote in someone else’s name the last time this ahole was up for re-election.
I have a friend who has the same full name as an IRA terrorist 30 years his senior.
Years ago, he figured out that if he just puts his middle initial instead of his full middle name, he doesn’t get flagged.
That gives me a whole lot of confidence in the system.
Call your sinators and tell them: NO.
Call your sinators and tell them: NO.
Any of the 911 hijackers? How bout the Islamists odumbo has released from club gitmo who are now again fighting against us? How about a candidate running for prez?
The Republicans should amend this. People on the “No Fly List” should not be allowed to vote!!
One of my sons had the same experience here in Mass. in three different courts.
A black had stolen his identity and would fail to show up in court, and my son would get hauled in.
The racial difference made it easy to sort it out.
It got so bad, we and he, had to carry around court papers showing he was not the same person, and one judge actually suggested he get a new identity and soc. security number.-Tom
My God. My loathing for these petty tyrants grows more each day.
Omar was not on the no-fly list. They are shamelessly exploiting the murder of 49 people to pass legislation which would not have stopped Omar.
If it passes the number of people on the no-fly list will increase to the point that a new government agency will be needed to handle due-process issues—mark my words.
If I was a family member, I would be seething. Instead of doing something that would stop terrorists from murdering any more Americans, Collins they would rather waste time on an issue which has nothing to do with Orlando.
Again, Omar was able to murder 49 people because the feds did not do their job. Period.
Frankly what Collins believes is irrelevant, BTW. I could give a rat’s ass about what she believes.
God, I hate those people who should be protecting us from islamic terrorism—a statement which could get me on a no-fly list even though I am expressing an emotion, not signaling any evil intent.
Wow, they will pay legal costs if someone is mistakenly placed on the list. Not very likely. Challenge it and they will examine ypur life with a fine tooth comb and discover a reason to prevent someone from purchasing a firearm. That is how it works. That’s what they are.
Excellent point. It would soon evolve to the no-drive list.
Take away Constitutional rights via everyday privileges.
: People on the “No Fly List” should not be allowed to vote!!”
I say
People on the” no fly list” should not be walking around free.
What they are saying is we will all have to pay out the ass for due process after the fact, but there is no guarantee. In fact, the odds are against us.
“If you are too dangerous to fly, you are too dangerous to live in the USA”
We need legislation that defines attempting to enact gun control legislation as levying war against the people of the US. That way some of these politicians can face the death penalty for treason.
Kellys getting a call from me. What a putz!!!
“bi-partisan”... yeah, did they include any of these?
1. Any “gun-free” venue is responsible for security and liable for any lack to uphold that security.
2. Concealed carry licenses in one state must be honored by other states or they do not get federal funds.
3. Any common core compliant high-school must include a gun safety course as part of the graduation requirements. That course should include live fire practice. Any opt-out provisions may not be less rigorous than those provided for sex-ed/gender-ed.
4. The federal government is required to destroy all gun purchase/ownership data and gun purchase background check data must be destroyed 24 hours after the check was requested. States and local governments are required to do the same to receive federal funds.
5. Tax credit for CHL certification/gun safety courses
6. Teachers or public school workers with a CHL are permitted to carry at school and school events (or no fed funding).
7. States must track what percentage of gun control cases were prosecuted only for gun control related measures (i.e. the only offense was the gun control violation).
8. Public universities under title 9 must offer shooting related competitions as well as permit CHL students to carry on campus.
“”Kaine urged Democrats to support it, arguing it would allow them to keep pushing for support for stronger background check laws.””
As if that’s not going to happen anyway. Give them an inch and they’ll take a mile.
I don’t see much difference in what Collin is proposing and the measures already voted on. Any of her provisions could have been added to any of the four amendments voted on yesterday . Her statement is absolutely ludicrous:
“If someone is too dangerous to board an airplane, they’re clearly too dangerous to buy a gun.”
But if we know they are dangerous, they are still permitted to live among the rest of us?? Worthless - useless - meaningless words!
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