Tate Zeigler (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the Senate now moving to debate gun control.

 

“I welcome a debate on the Second Amendment in the United States Senate.  I want to proceed to this bill. I want to debate it. I am not afraid.

 

“Some have asked why I opposed filibustering a procedural motion to move forward.  Here’s my reasoning.

 

• Many Senators have refused to even take a position on some of these issues for fear of angering one side or the other.  There’s only one way to see where Senators actually stand – make them vote.

 

• Filibustering right now means Senators get a free pass.  Some politicians’ dream scenario is one where they don’t actually have to vote For or Against a proposal but can tell each side they were with them all along.  Again, let’s make Senators vote.

 

• Nothing the Democrats are proposing would have prevented the Sandy Hook massacre.  We need Senators on record.  Do you support these proposals?

 

• The legislation can still be filibustered after today in the United States Senate.  And even if gun control legislation passes the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate it is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

 

• Finally, I have my own legislation, supported by the NRA, which I want to bring forward in the Senate.  My legislation would make a real difference in keeping guns out of the wrong hands.

 

It’s designed to prevent individuals like Alice Boland, a mentally disturbed individual who once pled ‘Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity’ in federal court for threatening to kill the President of the United States from legally buying a firearm.  Under current law, she was able to pass a background check, buy a pistol, and go to Ashley Hall School in Charleston where she tried to shoot several school officials.  One bullet in her hands is one too many.

 

“Again, I welcome a debate on gun control and you should too.  The American people deserve to see where their elected representatives stand on the Second Amendment.  Let’s vote.”

 

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