The Senate on Thursday defeated a measure that would have prohibited people on the terrorist watch list from purchasing guns and explosives.
The Senate voted along party lines to defeat the provision, which was sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Proponents of the Second Amendment to the Constitution have said banning guns from those on the terrorism watch list doesn’t give those people any access to due process, since there’s no chance for them to argue they should be off the list.
Minutes earlier, senators voted to reject an amendment by Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, that tried to address this issue. His language would have required a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases by individuals on the watch list.
Cornyn said his amendment would provide those on the list “the right to be heard,” before losing the right to buy a gun.
The two amendments were offered as part of legislation to repeal much of Obamacare.
Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., chastised Republicans for opposing Feinstein’s measure, which comes on the heels of the terrorist attack in France and the deadly shooting in San Bernardino, which may have been motivated by terrorism.
“This is outrageous people would try to run from this amendment,” Reid said. “We are trying to say if you are on a watch list as being a terrorist you should not be able to buy a gun.”
Opponents have pointed out that the terror watch list is riddled with errors and often includes innocent people, including the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. But Reid scoffed the criticism and use of Kennedy’s name in the gun debate.
“Let him be on the watch list,” Reid said. “He’s not going to buy a gun or hurt anybody.”
