‘No Fly, No Buy' Gun Measure Survives Senate

If Thursday's motion is seen as a test vote, supporters of the amendment lack a handful of votes to pass it.

A Republican-backed compromise amendment to prevent people on the "no-fly list" from acquiring firearms survived an effort to kill the measure Thursday — but at the moment it likely lacks the votes to pass it.

The amendment, sponsored by moderate Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, would allow the Justice Department to block people on the no-fly list and one other watchlist from buying guns, but would give them an ability to appeal.

A procedural vote to table, or essentially kill, the amendment failed 46-52. Eight Republicans voted against tabling the bill. If Thursday's motion is seen as a test vote, supporters of the amendment lack a handful of votes to pass it.

"I'm very pleased with where we stand," Collins said after the vote. "Obviously I'd like to get to 60 but this was a good day."

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