A spokesman for an Iowa anti-gun group says they’re pleased with the outcome action in the U.S. Senate that stopped a bill that would’ve provided liability protection for gun companies. Backers of the liability bill withdrew their support after democrats added amendments that would extend the ban on the sale of assault weapons, and require background checks on all buyers at private gun shows. Jeremy Brigham of Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence says it’s a partial victory. He says “we’re pleased that the N-R-A was defeated in their efforts, but the assault weapons ban really needs to be strengthened, not renewed.” He says they have a fight ahead of them. Brigham expects the gun issue to resurface.He says the assault weapons ban expires in September, before the November election, so he says the ban needs to be renewed. He says the ban also needs to be strengthened to outlaw the weapons that look like assault weapons that were developed to get around the ban. Brigham expects more legislative wrangling on the issue too. He says what’s likely to happen is a stronger assault weapons ban bill will be introduced, and opponents will try to attach an immunity amendment to it. Brigham says his group applauds Iowa Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley for voting against the bill that would’ve given gun manufacturers immunity.
