Senate blocks move to keep guns away from terror suspects

By Susan Ferrechio, Susan Ferrechio

Published December 20, 2015

The Senate on Thursday defeated a measure that would have prohibited people on the terrorist watch list from purchasing guns and explosives.

The Senate voted along party lines to defeat the provision, which was sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Proponents of the Second Amendment to the Constitution have said banning guns from those on the terrorism watch list doesn't give those people any access to due process, since there's no chance for them to argue they should be off the list.

Minutes earlier, senators voted to reject an amendment by Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, that tried to address this issue. His language would have required a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases by individuals on the watch list.

Cornyn said his amendment would provide those on the list "the right to be heard," before losing the right to buy a gun.