US gun safety measures face first votes
2013-03-07 22:13
Washington - President Barack Obama's prospects for
winning near-universal background checks for gun purchases seemed shaky on Thursday
as Congress faced its first votes on curbing firearms since December's deadly
shootings at a Connecticut school.
The shootings of 20 children ages 6 and 7 turned gun
safety into a leading national issue, though many of Obama's proposals are
opposed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and many Republicans who point
to the Constitutional guarantee of the right to bear firearms.
The Democratic-led Senate Judiciary Committee had four
bills on its agenda on Thursday.
Besides expanding background checks, the measures would
ban assault weapons and ammunition magazines carrying more than 10 rounds, make
gun trafficking and the purchase of firearms for people barred from owning them
federal crimes, and provide more money for schools to buy video cameras and
other safety equipment.
All four measures were expected to pass the committee.
But their fate when the full Senate considers them,
probably in April, was less certain.
In addition, gun safety supporters say the Senate will
have to approve legislation with strong bipartisan support to boost their
chances of success in the Republican-led House of Representatives. Republican leaders
there have said they won't act until the Senate produces legislation.
Expanding background checks is the cornerstone and most
popular part of Obama's effort to rein gun violence.
They are now mandated only for sales by the nation's 55 000
federally licensed gun dealers, not for private sales between individuals, like
those at gun shows or online.
An AP -GfK poll in January found 84% favoured requiring
background checks at gun shows. Other proposed gun curbs were supported by just
over half the public.
- AP
