Some Politics Face Better 2014 Prospects Following Gun Vote

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Large majorities of voters in both states favor background checks. Seventy-three percent of North Carolinians support them, while 71 percent of Louisiana voters back them.

"I'm confident that most people understand the importance of closing this loophole while preserving the rights of law abiding individuals to own and use guns for hunting, sport and self-protection," Landrieu said on her vote.

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Dear Mr. Bapple:

As many of our license plates say, Louisiana is a sportsman's paradise. I admire and respect our state's love of the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing - both time honored sports and traditions. I firmly believe that the right to own firearms for any lawful purpose as expressed in the Second Amendment is resolute. In no way can we allow that right to be taken away or infringed upon. One sad reality, however, is that our country is plagued by gun violence and Louisiana has the nation's highest death rate per capita by gunfire. Now is the time to consider solutions to the growing gun violence in our country while reinforcing our right as Americans to own guns for self-protection or sport.

I supported the amendment offered by Senators Manchin and Toomey which eliminated a major loophole by requiring background checks on firearm sales at gun shows and on all commercial sales made over the internet or advertised in any commercial publication. The Manchin-Toomey amendment was balanced and bipartisan. It would have created a way to limit the transfer of guns between non-familiar individuals without a background check, but did not restrict the ability to transfer guns between family, friends, or even members of the same church. Criminal background checks today are only required if a gun is purchased through or from a licensed gun dealer. This amendment was a step in the right direction because it would have benefited the approximately 950 licensed gun dealers in Louisiana by closing this dangerous loophole and eliminating the unfair advantage now enjoyed by unlicensed commercial online dealers.

In addition, it also included these important measures for the benefit of gun owners: allowing a gun owner to carry a locked weapon across state lines, important to many law enforcement officials; allowing conceal and carry cards to satisfy background check requirements; clarifying purchasing opportunities for military members and veterans; increasing punishment for straw purchasers; increasing gun owners' privacy by strictly prohibiting the creation of a national gun registry; and improving programs related to mental health and substance use disorders.

During the gun debate on the U.S. Senate floor, a total of nine amendments were offered to the underlying legislation, including Senator Feinstein's assault weapons ban and Senator Lautenberg's amendment to restrict the number of bullets in a magazine. I voted against both of these amendments.

I understand that there is no simple answer to addressing this issue, but I do know that inaction is not the solution. I have and will continue to support legislation that protects our Second Amendment rights and ones that I believe will effectively curb gun violence in our country. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue, and I trust you will continue to contact me on matters of mutual concern. Please feel free to visit my website at LINK for additional information on my legislative priorities important to our state.

With warm regards, I am

Sincerely,
Mary Landrieu United States Senator

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Gun nut crowd not a good barometer

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until you actually enforce it, it means nothing

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