In a significant defeat for the NRA, the bipartisan Senate
amendment that would close the gun show loophole on background checks was
supported today a gun rights group that typically serves as an NRA ally.
amendment that would close the gun show loophole on background checks was
supported today a gun rights group that typically serves as an NRA ally.
The endorsement came from the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and
Bear Arms, which labels itself the
second-largest pro-gun organization in the country behind the NRA, claiming
650,000 members and supporters.
Bear Arms, which labels itself the
second-largest pro-gun organization in the country behind the NRA, claiming
650,000 members and supporters.
The break from the politically powerful NRA, which once
backed background checks, gives a lift to the compromise drafted by Sens. Joe
Manchin, D-W.Va., and Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., as a vote on the amendment is
expected to come as early as this week.
backed background checks, gives a lift to the compromise drafted by Sens. Joe
Manchin, D-W.Va., and Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., as a vote on the amendment is
expected to come as early as this week.
However, leading gun control advocates may be
disappointed with the reasons the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and
Bear Arms cited for their support of the measure, including provisions that
would prohibit a government registry of gun ownership and make it easier to
transport and carry weapons across state lines.
disappointed with the reasons the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and
Bear Arms cited for their support of the measure, including provisions that
would prohibit a government registry of gun ownership and make it easier to
transport and carry weapons across state lines.
