NY Senator Says Gun Control Needed to Thwart ‘Lone Wolves'

The Senate is expected to vote Monday on several gun control bills

What to Know

  • Senators are set to vote on gun control measures.
  • One proposal calls for universal background checks.
  • Another bill would ban gun sales to anyone on the terrorist watch list.

New York's senior senator called on his fellow lawmakers Sunday to adopt proposed legislation aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of "lone wolves" who kill in the name of terrorist groups.

The Senate is expected to vote Monday on several gun control bills. However, none is expected to pass.

Nonetheless, Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat, urged passage of the bills and stressed that the measures wouldn't stop law-abiding citizens from buying guns.

One of the proposals would prevent individuals listed on terrorist watch lists from buying a gun. Universal background checks for gun purchases are also proposed.

"You're a law abiding American, you have nothing to fear," Schumer said Sunday in Manhattan. "Most Americans know this, but the NRA is fanatical. They want no changes in the gun laws and they are fighting this so the amendment hangs in the balance."

Schumer said the measures are critically important in the war against domestic terrorism.

"We need to pass these laws," he said. "It's a new America with ISIS preying on lone wolves who can easily get guns. That has to stop before there's another Orlando."

Senate Democrats launched a 15-hour filibuster last week to demand action on gun control following the Orlando nightclub massacre.

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