Gun Amendments Bogging Down Sportsmen's Bill

Roll Call reported shortly before 1:00 PM today that the Bipartisan Sportsmen Act of 2014 (S. 2363), a legislative priority for NSSF, is about to collapse under the weight of gun amendments, some of which are aimed at endangered Democrats in red states under pressure in an election year, and it's not just pro-rights amendments.

There are firearm policy amendments being lined up on both sides. That includes everything from the interstate transportation of ammunition to a sweeping overhaul of gun control in the District of Columbia. That last amendment has been filed by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

On the other side, Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin wants to impose stiff criminal penalties for “straw purchasers” of firearms, citing the spate of violence last weekend in Chicago in a Wednesday morning floor speech. Other Democrats  advocating firearm safety are working on proposals as well, including Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn.

Roll call noted that Durbin is itching to have a debate on gun control and hopes that a "filibuster" does not prevent it.  It's likely that both sides could end up bringing the underlying bill down if it looks like one side or the other may prevail on gun rights or gun control.