Reid Declines To Endorse Feinstein's Assault-Weapons Ban

[Purveyor]

By Alexander Bolton - 01/29/13 03:08 PM ET

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Tuesday declined to voice support for Democratic legislation that would ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips.

Reid said he would bring gun-violence legislation to the floor and open it to a lengthy amendment process. But he declined to endorse the assault weapons ban introduced last week by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), which has the support of the 2nd- and 3rd-ranking Senate Democratic leaders.

“She’s talked to me about her assault weapons. The new one. She believes in it fervently and I admire her for that. I’ll take a look at that,” he said in response to a reporter's question. “We’re going to have votes on all kinds of issues dealing with guns, and I think everyone would be well advised to read the legislation before they determine how they’re going to vote [on] it.”


Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/279895-reid-declines-to-endorse-feinstein-assault-weapons-ban#ixzz2JaZ8TGIB
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[Cosmocat]

1. There is a political exposure here that people just don't get

there are HOUSE democrats who want NOTHING to do with any kind of firearm legislation.

[HockeyMom]

2. No better than Repukes, or the NRA,

in my book then.

[Cosmocat]

16. If you want the Rs to have an EVEN BIGGER majority

in the House, then proceed with that line of thinking.

That is what we are talking about here.

Democrats holding seats in districts that, based on this issue, will only result in republican's picking up the seat if they sign off any gun legislation.

Look, I don't like it, either.

All people want is some reasonable regulation of assault weapons, high capacity magazines, back ground checks.

It is truly sad we can't even see these things implemented, but, until this country finally gets fed up with smiling while downing the shit sandwiches the Rs dish up, it is what it is.

But, make no mistake, any D in a House district who knows he or she will end up facing millions in dollars in ads about taking guns next year, they aren't going to be replaced by a bleeding heart liberal. The district they would be in would end up going republican.

[still_one]

3. So feinstein supported no filibuster so her assault weapon ban would not stand a chance. Both

Feinstein and Reid are all talk with little substance

[Third Doctor]

13. That's what I just thought.

Even if he knew that the bill would not pass the Senate Reid could at least show some type of leadership by standing by it. He just does not want to piss the NRA off. Feinstein just helped hammer the nails to her bill's coffin by voting against reform so she is just talking crap imo.

[davidpdx]

18. +1

I've been saying this since just before the filibuster reform fell flat on its face. For Feinstein to support one, but not the other doesn't make much sense. The partisan gridlock is going to continue in the Senate and the House will be like a drunk uncle who can't walk or talk straight.

[bigdarryl]

4. Reid has got to be primaried next time around

[NOVA_Dem]

6. Tom Daschle and now Harry Reid...

When are we going to pick a leader whose not a blue dog?

[NOVA_Dem]

5. Profile in courage. nt

[PoliticAverse]

7. "would be well advised to read the legislation before they determine how they’re going to vote"

They're suppose to read legislation before they vote on it? Is that a new policy?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. It does help...

[ProgressiveProfessor]

8. We will be lucky to get background checks for all transfers

Expecting more is silly.

[LiberalFighter]

9. The NRA needs to be destroyed.

Their lack of credibility needs to be put out to for everyone to see.

Reid is scared of the NRA.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. Of course. Now we know why he caved on filibuster reform. Jerk! I'm starting to really dislike Harry

[EastKYLiberal]

11. Fucking coward. nt

[nick of time]

12. Not a coward.

Pragmatic. He already knows that there's very little chance of it passing the Senate with 6 red state Dem. Senators voicing opposition to it and no chance in the repuke controlled House.
And Feinstein pretty much scuttled her chance of it passing by refusing to vote for true filibuster reform, namely, the talking filibuster.

[Downtown Hound]

15. Funny how it doesn't seem to matter if the Democrats are in the minority

or have a legislative super-majority like they did a few years ago. No matter what, there's always an excuse why legislation like this never passes.

[Filibuster Harry]

17. This is sad for this country when grown ups -- yeah grown ups from both parties --

are so afraid of passing legislation which could save lives. The world is laughing at us and we do deserve it.
How many more people have to be killed or how many more towns have to be affected before these grownups come to their senses? Newtown doesn't mean a damn thing to them if NOTHING IS DONE!!!

[TroyD]

19. This is unacceptable behavior from the Senate Majority Leader and sends a bad message

But it seems that Reid got scared from the race the Republicans gave him in 2010.

I wish he'd realize that he is not up for another 4 years and that Nevada is changing politically and demographically and he does not need to be as afraid of the Republicans or the NRA.