Wyden, Merkley, Brown react to Senate rejection of gun measures

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley voiced their disappointment Monday as Senate colleagues rejected four pieces of gun legislation in the wake of the Orlando shootings, while Gov. Kate Brown thanked the Oregon lawmakers for their votes in support.

Here’s Wyden’s statement, in full:

“The complete refusal of the far right to take a single step to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals denies the tragic reality that is splashed across the news with disheartening frequency.

“Tonight, the far right responded to cries for commonsense gun safety laws with still more inaction.”

Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to defeat proposals that would prohibit suspected terrorists from buying guns and that would close loopholes in the background check system:

“It’s incomprehensible and shameful that 53 Senators put a higher priority on pleasing the gun lobby than keeping weapons out of the hands of suspected terrorists, known criminals, and the dangerously disturbed.

“There are very few proposals in American politics that enjoy near-universal support, but closing loopholes in the background check system does.Ninety percent of Americans want to close the gun show loophole.Even majorities of gun owners and NRA members support these common-sense proposals.

“Oregon is a state with a deep tradition of hunting and target shooting, but Oregonians know that their rights are not compromised by measures to protect the public from guns in the hands of people who would do harm with them, which is why Oregonians have closed background check loopholes.

“It makes no sense that individuals on the terrorist watch list are denied access to planes but given full access to an armory of weapons. It is disturbing and disappointing that Senators are refusing to make this common-sense change after this latest horrible terrorist hate crime.

“It is deplorable the far right continues to value obedience to the NRA above the safety of American families. This is nothing less than cowardice and it must not be allowed to continue.

“The Congress owes it to the families of victims, to responsible gun owners and all Americans to heed the voices who are saying enough is enough.”

Gov. Kate Brown released the following statement thanking Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley for their efforts to pass background checks at the national level:

“I am proud of the work Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have done to help bring our country up to Oregon’s standards on background checks. From taking part in last week’s filibuster to their vote today, I want to thank them for representing our state’s values on this important issue.

“Oregon is one of eight states and Washington, D.C. that require universal background checks. I’m proud that we brought responsible gun owners, community advocates, and law enforcement together, and under my leadership, we passed common sense reform to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

“Congress has introduced more than 100 gun safety reform bills since 2011, and so far all have failed. From San Bernardino, to Roseburg, to Charleston, to Orlando – Congress must put politics aside as we did in Oregon, and do its part to stop this dangerous trend.”