Here's The Democrats' Plan To Get Gun Control Through The Senate

Senior Hill aides describe Harry Reid's strategy.

posted on April 12, 2013 at 3:47pm EDT
Benny Johnson
BuzzFeed Staff

It has been almost 20 years since Congress has taken up the topic of gun control legislation.




As the new debate over gun control heats up, senior Senate aides on both sides of the issue laid out advocates’ plan to get their bill through the Senate.

The strategy advocated by gun control supporters in the Senate was described to BuzzFeed by two senior Republican Senate aides working to oppose the effort, and confirmed by a Democratic Senate leadership aide working to get it passed.
Image by Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times/MCT

Prospects for the gun control legislation weren't looking good until the recent Toomey/Manchin proposal.

The legislation proposed by Republican Sen. Pat Toomey and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin would expand background checks for those looking to purchase guns, while providing some exemptions. Image by Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT

The new Toomey/Manchin language will replace the old background check language currently in the bill and will be championed as bipartisan.

Image by Allison Shelley / Getty Images

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will then call for a cloture vote on the legislation with the new language in place. He expects to get the votes he needs.

Image by Mark Wilson / Getty Images

Reid will then bring up the highly controversial Assault Weapons Ban championed by Sen. Diane Finestein (D-CA).

Image by Yuri Gripas / Reuters

A ban on high-capacity magazines will also be offered as an amendment.

Image by Charles Krupa / AP

Both of these amendments are expected to go down in flames. And Senate aides said that's by design on Reid's part.


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By voting against these measures, conservative and moderate Democrats, like Sen. Mary Landrieu, will be able to position themselves as pro-gun.

Image by Chris Graythen / Getty Images

Those votes are also designed to give cover to Montana Sen. Jon Tester, who hails from one of the most gun-friendly states in the country.

Image by Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images

These members will be able to return home and say they voted against the most controversial aspects of the legislation.

Image by Charles Krupa / AP

Then, after covering for his members, Reid will bring the bill to the floor for final passage.

Image by Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

Meanwhile, the White House will run interference, building as much public support as it can for the bill.



Senate Republicans who oppose all new gun control legislation will be in a tough position.

Image by Gary Cameron / Reuters

The Senate will debate heavily, with Reid needing at least five Republican votes to pass the final version of the bill.

Image by CBS News, Chris Usher / AP

If Reid passes the bill, it will be by razor-thin margins. This is something the Senate has become accustomed to.

Image by Allison Shelley / Getty Images

Of course, the bill will then head to the Republican-controlled House, where it will face clear challenges.

Image by Alex Wong / Getty Images

But no matter what the outcome, gun control will surely be one of the most heated political debates Washington has seen in a while.

Image by Keith Srakocic / AP


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