RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Lawmakers were firing off over gun control, one day before the U.S. Senate is scheduled to debate and vote on gun laws in Washington, D.C.
Earlier today. Sen Joe Manchin III (D- West Virginia) and Sen. Patrick Toomey (R - Pennsylvania) announced a bipartisan deal on expanding background checks at gun shows and Internet sales. It was considered by come to be a surprise move since both senators have been strongly supported by the National Rifle Association (NRA). The NRA opposes tighter restrictions.
There are still quite a few hurdles to overcome, including a potential filibuster by some Republicans who have vowed to fight such gun control proposals. Still supporters of the firearm legislation said they're needed to curb gun violence.
"Today's agreement is the first step in the common ground that all of us agree it's crucial to keep guns out of dangerous hands and to keep our children safe," Sen. Manchin said. "This is a bipartisan movement. It's a bipartisan amendment and we all know a bipartisan solution is a lasting solution."
However critics argued the bill would ultimately violate the Second Amendment -- the right to bear arms. They believe the legislation would burden law-abiding gun owners.
This morning House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R - Virginia) stood alongside House Speaker John Boehner, who avoided several questions from reporters in Washington D.C. Boehner only said despite the support to start gun control debate by his Republican colleague, Sen. Toomey, the negotiations were just getting started.
"We will wait and see what the Senate does," Boehner said. "It's one thing for two members to come to some agreement but that doesn't substitute the will for the other 98 members so we'll wait to see what the Senate does."
As the debates continue in our Nation's Capital, an ORC/CNN poll released today said 86 percent of Americans support strengthening background checks for guns in some way.
