The efforts of US President Barack Obama to have strict gun control laws received a big boost after a bipartisan group of lawmakers reached a deal to expand background checks to guns purchased on the Internet or at trade shows.
Obama hailed the forging of a bipartisan agreement around commonsense background checks that will make it harder for dangerous people to get their hands on a gun.
The agreement crafted by Senators Pat Toomey and Joe Manchin was, however, denounced by the National Rifle Association (NRA).
In a statement Obama said the agreement represents welcome and significant bipartisan progress.
“It recognises that there are good people on both sides of this issue, and we don’t have to agree on everything to know that we’ve got to do something to stem the tide of gun violence,” he said.
For months Obama has been pushing for strict gun control laws, calling for strong background checks so as to prevent killing of innocent people as has been the case with the Gurdwara in Wisconsin or a Connecticut school.
“Of course, a lot of work remains. Congress needs to finish the job. The Senate must overcome obstruction by defeating a threatened filibuster, and allow a vote on this and other commonsense reforms to protect our kids and our communities. Any Bill still has to clear the House,” Obama said referring to the difficulties that lie ahead.
“So I’m going to keep asking the American people to stand up and raise their voices, because these measures deserve a vote — and so do the families and communities they’re designed to protect,” Obama said.
At a Capitol Hill news conference, Senator Manchin said they have an agreement on an amendment to prevent criminals and the mentally ill and insane from getting firearms and harming people.
The gun-lobby, represented by the National Rifle Association (NRA), continued with its opposition to any such move.
“Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013”, introduced on March 21, contains a number of provisions that would unfairly infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners,” said NRA Institute for Legislative Action Executive Director Chris Cox to the US Senate On Background Checks.
“This legislation would criminalise the private transfer of firearms by honest citizens, requiring friends, neighbours and many family members to get Government permission to exercise a fundamental right or face prosecution. The NRA is unequivocally opposed to it,” Cox said in his letter to the Senators.