Senate takes non-binding gun votes
Dateline: 05/17/00
The bill being considered was about spending for military construction, but the two votes taken in the U.S. Senate today were about gun control.
Faced with an indefinite delay in further legislation, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) today agreed to allow eight hours of debate followed by votes on two non-binding amendments to the Military Construction Appropriations Act expressing the "Sense of the Senate" on the gun control issue.
First, the Senate passed 69-30 a resolution offered by Sen. Lott expressing the "Sense of the Senate" that the juvenile crime conference report should include:
- designating at least one Assistant U.S. Attorney in each district to prosecute federal firearms violations,
- upgrade the national instant criminal background system and
- provide incentive grants to states to encourage them to impose mandatory minimum sentences for firearm offenses.
Next, the Senate passed 50-49 a resolution offered yesterday by Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) expressing the "Sense of the Senate" that:
- the House-Senate conference committee should be compelled to complete its work on the juvenile justice bill by Memorial Day, thus allowing the bill to come before the full Senate for consideration and
- praising participants and organizers of the Million Moms March.
The Senate version of the juvenile justice bill calls for gun control regulations including requiring trigger locks and buyer background checks at gun shows, and has been held in the conference committee since last summer.
"Sense of the Senate or House" resolutions are non-binding and have no effect in law. They merely indicate the majority opinion of the House or Senate on the issue they address. "Sense of the Senate or House" resolutions can be offered at any time as separate bills or as amendments to other bills, as was the case in the above story.
Bills Involved:
S. 2521 - Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2001
An original bill making appropriations for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes. (Both "Sense of the Senate" resolutions passed today were offered in the form of amendments to this bill.)
Also see: House Passes Military Construction Bill, from your About.com GuideS. 254 - Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Accountability and Rehabilitation Act of 1999
A bill to reduce violent juvenile crime, promote accountability by rehabilitation of juvenile criminals, punish and deter violent gang crime, and for other purposes. (House version of this bill is H.R. 1501)
Reference Links
Senate Democrats bring chamber to a halt over resolution on gun control
CNN report - May 16, 2000: "Senate Democrats made good Tuesday on their threat to bring the Senate to a halt unless they are granted an opportunity to vote on legislation containing gun control measures."
The leading gun owner advocacy group. Opposed to new gun control laws.
Organization working for stricter gun control laws.
Covers the legal issues of gun control. From JURIST: The Law Professors' Network.
Report on the gun debate and campaign money, from the Center for Responsive Politics.
House Agrees to Consider Gun Control
After demands by President Clinton, the House is scheduled to consider a bill controlling sales at gun shows, requiring trigger locks and other regulations. From your About.com Guide.
President Clinton proposes new gun legislation, from your About.com Guide to Broadcast News Tim Hosfeldt.
Canada's gun control law faces a Supreme Court challenge from gun control opponents. From Canada Online Guide Susan Munroe.
How the political left views the gun control issue. From About.com Guide Karen O'Brien.
The very best in links about advocacy and commentary on gun rights, from your About.com Guide to Civil Liberties J.D. Tuccille.
Related links from one of the most interesting sites on the Web, Guide Bill Bickel's Crime and Punishment.
Do you have a gun in our home? Do you feel safer or less safe? Kids and Guns from your About.com Guide
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