U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Rep. Peter King called for a vote on bipartisan gun safety legislation after a weekend of mass shootings.
A House bill calling for universal background checks passed earlier this year with bipartisan support. The law would close loopholes for gun shows and online sales of weapons. But Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has blocked the bill in the Senate.
Schumer says as long as people have easy access to weapons of war, the crisis will continue.
“A crazed person can go online, get an idea and cause huge havoc. The Walmart was in El Paso, but it really could be anywhere in America.”
Schumer says universal background check legislation would pass the Senate if it were allowed for a vote.
Republican Representative Peter King of Long Island says this is common sense gun reform that has overwhelming support.
“When you have an issue where 90% of the American people want it done, and the American people are literally crying because of what they saw this weekend, to me, just do the right thing and let it come to a vote on the Senate floor.”
Lawmakers from across the country have called on McConnell to allow the Senate to vote on the issue.
