WASHINGTON — Just days after the devastating Orlando nightclub shooting in his home state, a new bill from Florida Sen. Bill Nelson is intended to be a less controversial alternative to sweeping new gun laws that have previously failed in the aftermath of mass shootings.
The
itself is short, only three pages, and doesn't restrict anyone from buying a gun. It also doesn't outlaw any type of gun. The legislation would make sure the FBI is alerted when someone who was, or currently is, on a terror watch list buys guns or ammunition.
"It's common sense that if somebody was on a terrorist watch list in the past, the FBI ought to be notified they're now buying a gun," Nelson, a Democrat, said. "It would have stopped this horrific murder."
Multiple Republicans said they'd review Nelson's bill, but that didn't stop other Democrats from blocking all action on the Senate floor. They filibustered in favor of new gun control measures, including a bill banning individuals on the terror watch list from buying guns.
Those attempts are likely to fail because of Republican concerns they violate the Second Amendment.
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