The U.S. Senate defeated a compromise plan in a vote 54-46 to expand background checks on firearms sale as well as a proposal to ban some semi-automatic weapons modeled after military assault weapons, CNN reported.
The votes on a series of amendment to a broad package of gun laws pushed by President Obama and Democratic leaders in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December was shot down on Wednesday.
Obama criticized the NRA and senators who voted against the expanded background checks for rejecting a compromise he said was supported by a strong majority of Americans.
"Instead of supporting this compromise, the gun lobby and its allies willfully lied about the bill," Obama told reporters.
On a day when the president grasped with the terror attacks that hit Boston, Obama called the vote "shameful."
Noting polls that showed 90% support for such a measure, Obama called it a "pretty shameful day for Washington" and wondered of Congress: "Who are we here to represent?"
the Senate had "ignored the will of the American people" Mark Kelly, the husband of Gabrielle Giffords, former congresswoman who was shot over two years ago.
NRA's Chris Cox called the expanded background check proposal "misguided," saying it would not reduce violent crime "or keep our kids safe in their schools." The broader gun package still under consideration by the Senate includes tougher laws on gun trafficking and straw purchases, and steps to devise ways to improve safety in schools, news reports said.
Four Democrats from pro-gun states voted with most Republicans in opposition. When the result was announced by Vice President Joe Biden, who presided over the chamber for the vote, two women in the gallery of spectators shouted "shame on you" at the senators.
Obama had pushed for Congress to include both the expanded background checks provision and the weapons ban in any gun package. In a CNN/ORC International poll released last week, 86% of Americans say they support expanded background checks.
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