DeLuca Denounces Wednesday's Gun Vote

In reponse to Wednesday's U.S. Senate's defeat of a bill that would have expanded background checks for gun purchases. Maplewood's Mayor Vic DeLuca posted the following message on his Facebook page. 

(DeLuca is part of the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Read more about his work with that organization here, here and here.)

Only in the United States Senate can a majority vote in favor of something and still lose. Today’s amendment to expand background checks for gun purchases had 54 votes in favor, a clear majority, but it did not meet the unrealistic and ridiculous procedural hurdle of 60 votes.  Even though the American people overwhelmingly support expanded background checks, the Republican Party and a handful of Democrats abandoned us today. They refused to support common sense solutions. 

I applaud Senators Lautenberg and Menendez for their support.  And I question the silence of Governor Chris Christie, a national Republican leader. Where was his voice on this issue?

I will continue to work through Mayors’ Against Illegal Guns to strengthen our gun laws. The struggle will continue.