Dems Look to Slip Gun Control Measure into Cybersecurity Bill

By Newsroom America Staff at 28 Jul 2012

(Newsroom America) -- Democratic senators have inserted an amendment into a cybersecurity measure that would limit the number of high-capacity firearms magazines for some consumers.

Following Senate approval of filing amendments ahead of a planned vote next week on the Cybersecurity Act, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who has a history of gun control advocacy, came to the floor to offer what he called a "reasonable" gun measure.

The amendment was sponsored by Sens. Frank Lautenberg (N.J.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Jack Reed (R.I.), Bob Menendez (N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Schumer and Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), The Hill newspaper reported Thursday.

The measure would make it illegal to possess or transfer gun magazines, belts, feed stripes and drums of more than 10 rounds, with the exception of .22 caliber weapons.

The proposal would only cover sales and transfers that took place after the law passed.

Perhaps in anticipation of broaching the subject of gun control soon, Schumer appealed for bipartisanship on his current proposal and whatever else may be proposed in the future.

"Maybe we could come together on guns if each side gave some," he said.

He said Democrats could make the case that they're not trying to repeal the Second Amendment.

"The basic complaint is that the Chuck Schumers of the world want to take away your guns," Schumer said of opposition to his views by gun rights groups and advocates. "I think it would be smart for those of us who want rational gun control to make it know that that’s not true at all."

The provision is not likely to survive what is already viewed as a hyper-partisan election-year atmosphere, some analysts have said.

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