WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) issued this statement following the Senate's consideration of amendments to S. 649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act, including the Manchin-Toomey amendment to expand background checks on commercial gun sales:
"The bipartisan Manchin-Toomey agreement would have expanded criminal background checks to reduce gun violence while upholding the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens. Fifty-four United States senators voted in agreement with 90 percent of the American people that expanding background checks is a reasonable step to take. Unfortunately, however, you need more than 60 votes in the Senate in order to overcome the filibuster of virtually everything.
"I support our right to bear arms, but I believe Congress can take commonsense steps to reduce the epidemic of gun violence and tragic mass murders. I also supported legislation today to prevent gun trafficking, stop illegal gun sales and limit the availability of high capacity magazines, which have been involved in recent mass shootings including Virginia Tech, Tucson, Aurora, Oak Creek and Sandy Hook Elementary School. Enacting these measures would help reduce violent gun crimes while upholding the traditions of sportsmen and responsible gun owners in New Mexico and around the nation."
