Facing opposition from Republicans, today Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., pulled gun legislation from the Senate floor indefinitely. “The best way to pass a background check bill is to hit pause," Reid said.
The bill’s chances at passing lost steam on Thursday when 46* senators—primarily Republicans—voted to uphold a filibuster of a bipartisan amendment from Sen. Joe Manchin and Sen. Pat Toomey that would have required background checks for all commercial gun sales, including those made on the internet and at gun shows. Gun sales from individuals would have been exempted under the amendment. Supporters of the gun bill considered the Manchin-Toomey amendment their best chance to bring enough Republicans on board to overcome a filibuster of the larger bill.
*Reid voted "No" for procedural reasons.
Donny Shaw contributed to this article.