As the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee passed the last of four bills Thursday aimed at reducing gun violence in America, including a ban on assault weapons, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse isn't taking an chances.
Toward the end of Thursday's Judiciary meeting, committee member Whitehouse said he hopes the Senate will hold a separate vote on a narrower measure to eliminate high-capacity magazines. With strong Republican opposition to banning assault weapons, Whitehouse calls the elimination of high-capacity magazines an alternative approach that would save lives.
"We have heard testimony in this Committee -- very specific testimony -- about lives that would have been saved if there had not been those high capacity magazines," says Whitehouse. "I hope that we can at least agree to get that passed."
FOUR BILLS PASSED BY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE NOW GO TO FULL SENATE: Senator Whitehouses's office provides these descriptions of the measures: -- Assault Weapons Ban of 2013. This bill would re-instate a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines (those with more than 10 rounds). The Committee approved this legislation by a vote of 10-8. -- Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013. This bill would strengthen penalties for so-called “straw purchases” – when one person buys a firearm for someone else who cannot legally buy one for himself. The Committee approved this bill by a vote of 11-7. -- Fix Gun Checks Act of 2013. This bill would strengthen the country’s background check system for gun purchases by eliminating loopholes, such as the current policy that allows individuals to purchase weapons at gun shows without a background check. It would also assist states and federal agencies to provide accurate and up-to-date records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The Committee approved this legislation by a vote of 10-8. -- School and Campus Safety Enhancements Act of 2013. This bill would expand grant programs to help improve school and campus safety. This bill was approved by a vote of 14 to 4.
Updated March 14, 2013 2:30 PM