Former President Donald Trump blasted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s “push” for gun control on June 23.
His rebuke came just before the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill hailed as the most significant federal gun control legislation in decades.
McConnell (R-Ky.) voiced support for the gun agreement put forward by a bipartisan group of lawmakers during a June 22 speech on the Senate floor.
He said the bill would protect the rights of gun owners and, at the same time, lessen gun violence.
In addition, McConnell said, the bill “does not so much as touch the rights of the overwhelming majority of American gun owners who are law-abiding citizens of sound mind.”
In Trump’s opinion, McConnell has been giving “away” things to reach consensus with Democrats without getting anything “in return.”
According to Trump, McConnell’s advocacy of the gun bill amounts to handing the Democrats another victory.
“Just like he gave away the debt ceiling and got nothing in return, or handed the Dems a great sound bite and victory with the infrastructure bill, which is actually all about the Green New Deal, he is now forcing approval of the first step in taking away your guns!” Trump further stated.
Trump ended the statement by calling for Republican senators to obstruct the effort in getting the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed, implying that those going for it will not be able to secure their seats in the reelections.
Yet, with 15 Republican senators siding with the Democrats, the Senate approved the legislation by a bipartisan 65-33 vote.
Provisions of the bill include school safety and encourage the use of juvenile records background checks for those between the ages of 18 and 21 who want to buy a gun. Other measures focus on mental health, state crisis intervention programs, and incentives for red flag laws.
The Senate’s move was in stark contrast to the earlier ruling of the Supreme Court delivered on the same day.
In the 6-3 ruling, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas negated a law that said New Yorkers who want to carry a handgun in public must show a “special need to defend themselves.”
