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| Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., becomes emotional as he meets in his office with families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., on the day he announced that they have reached reached a bipartisan deal on expanding background checks to more gun buyers, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. |
WASHINGTON
(AP) -- A bipartisan Senate proposal to expand background checks for gun
buyers gained the backing of one Republican and the potential support
of a second Sunday as sponsors said the vote expected this week was too
close to call.
The plan would "strengthen the
background check system without in any way infringing on Second
Amendment rights," Maine Sen. Susan Collins said in a statement
explaining her support for the measure. But she added that "it is
impossible to predict at this point" what will be in a final bill.
Arizona
Sen. John McCain, who has a B+ rating from the National Rifle
Association, said he was "very favorably disposed" to the proposal that
has emerged from Sens. Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.
"I
appreciate their work," McCain said. "And the American people want to
do what we can to prevent these tragedies. And there's a lot more that
needs to be done, particularly in the area of mental health."
It
was in McCain's home state that a gunman with schizophrenia shot
then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in the head during a 2011 rampage in Tucson
that left six people killed.
Collins and Sen.
Mark Kirk of Illinois are the only two Republicans besides Toomey who
are expected to vote for the compromise as of now.
It
will take 60 votes to pass, meaning that more Republicans will have to
come on board because some Democrats from gun-friendly states are
expected to oppose the measure.
"It's an open question as to whether or not we have the votes. I think it's going to be close," Toomey said.
The
measure requires background checks for people buying guns at gun shows
and online. Background checks currently apply only to transactions
handled by the country's 55,000 licensed gun dealers. Private
transactions, such as a sale of a gun between family members, would
still be exempt.
Manchin urged lawmakers to
read the 49-page proposal. He said it should dispel any misconceptions
about infringing on the constitutional right to bear arms.
The
senators' agreement actually includes language expanding firearms
rights by easing some restrictions on transporting guns across state
lines, protecting sellers from lawsuits if buyers passed a check but
later used a gun in a crime and letting gun dealers conduct business in
states where they don't live.
"If you are a law-abiding gun owner, you're going to like this bill," Manchin said.
He
acknowledged the vote would be tight. Asked how many votes he thought
he had now, Manchin said: "Well, we're close. We need more."
The
compromise, if successful, would be added to broader gun control
legislation to strengthen laws against illegal gun trafficking and to
increase slightly school security aid.
Other
additions to the legislation also are expected to be debated this week,
including a measure that would allow concealed hand gun permits issued
by one state to be accepted nationwide as a de facto background check.
Sen.
Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said in news show interviews that concealed
weapons permits should be applied nationally. He also called for more
prosecution of people that are trying to buy guns and fail a background
check.
The Senate is also expected to
consider, and reject, Democratic amendments to ban assault weapons and
ammunition magazines carrying more than 10 rounds.
Manchin and Toomey were on CNN's "State of the Union" and CBS' "Face the Nation." McCain was on CNN.
