MAYOR DE LUCA ON TODAY'S GUN BACKGROUND CHECK DEFEAT IN WASHINGTON

With today's U.S. Senate defeat of a bill that would have expanded background checks on those seeking to buy guns, concerns have been raised by many who seek tighter controls.

Among those groups is Mayors Against Illegal Guns, whose members include our own Mayor Vic De Luca.

Asked for his thoughts on the defeated bill, he sent this statement:

"Only in the United States Senate can a majority vote in favor of something and still lose. Today’s amendment to expand  background checks for gun purchases had 54 votes in favor, a clear majority, but it did not meet the unrealistic and ridiculous procedural hurdle of 60 votes.  Even though the American people overwhelmingly support expanded background checks, the Republican Party and a handful of Democrats abandoned us today. They refused to support common sense solutions.

I applaud Senators Lautenberg and Menendez for their support.  And I question the silence of Governor Chris Christie, a national Republican leader. Where was his voice on this issue?

I will continue to work through Mayors’ Against Illegal Guns to strengthen our gun laws. The struggle will continue."