Background Checks: Senate Republicans In Disarray Over Popular Gun Control Measure

By Jennifer Bendery

WASHINGTON -- Ask a Senate Republican if he or she supports an assault weapons ban and you'll likely get a "no." But ask about tighter background checks -- one of few items in President Barack Obama's gun violence package with a shot at passing Congress -- and you'll likely get a vague response about needing more information, if you get a response at all.

"Uh, I don't know what you mean," said Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), who then ended the conversation by turning around and walking into a room where senators were having lunch, closing the door behind him.

"I need to have more details. I, you know, I just need -- you need to ask me after I've talked to our judiciary staff in our office," said Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), also heading to the Senate lunch. "I hate to respond just in the hallway, so I won't."

"I've got -- my wife's here. I'm sorry. I've gotta -- thanks," said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).

In the days since Obama spoke to the nation about gun violence and put forward proposals to address it, lawmakers in both parties have signaled support for stricter background checks -- mostly Democrats, but some key Republicans, too -- and the White House has made the proposal a top priority. Public support for universal background checks is extremely high, possibly even at 92 percent, per a recent CBS News/New York Times poll.

The provision would require anyone selling a firearm to run a background check on the prospective buyer. Under current federal law, background checks are only required for guns sold by licensed firearm dealers, whose sales make up an estimated 60 percent of U.S. gun sales. Private dealers sell the remaining 40 percent without checks -- at gun shows, via the Internet or just between individuals.

Some Republicans said they don't support universal background checks because they don't think the government should have any more control over people's access to guns.

"Probably not," Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said when asked if he could support the proposal. "I don't want a national list of people selling guns ... My reasoning is that we have too much government as it is, and frankly, I don't believe it's the guns that are the problem. I think there are many other reasons behind the problem."

"I don't know how much tighter they could be," Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) said of background checks, brushing off a question specifically about the gun show loophole. "I'm not getting down in the weeds."

Others simply said they don't know where they are on the issue.

"I'm going to look at it," said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)

Holy shit, why would any sane person be against background checks?

They aren't.

Holy shit, why would any sane person be against background checks?

Which came first gun confiscation or gun registration?

Show us an example of gun confiscation in America!

Which came first gun confiscation or gun registration?

You are just too stupid.
New Orleans Begins Confiscating Firearms as Water Recedes
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/08/na...anted=all&_r=0

They aren't what? Sane or against background checks?

You are just too stupid.
New Orleans Begins Confiscating Firearms as Water Recedes
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/08/na...anted=all&_r=0

Hey, dumbass, that was a local state matter during a state of emergency - not the federal government.

Show us an example of gun confiscation in America!

That's a state of emergency, dumbass, and did they keep the weapons?

So disarming American citizen during an emergency will make them safer? Are you really this stupid?

They were evacuating an area with the potential of looting going on. Why would they want people running around with guns? Removing those guns makes it safer for the national guard, the police and the public.

You people have your heads up your asses.