Having defeated the Manchin-Toomey background-check bill, the Senate shot down three other amendments to the gun bill in quick succession Wednesday. With 60 votes needed to win:
Introduced at the last minute, the Grassley substitute amendment for Manchin-Toomey failed 52-48. It would have provided more money for school safety and for mental health; stepped-up prosecutions of felons who try to get guns; easing of the interstate transport of guns by private citizens.
Leahy-Collins amendment failed 58-42. It would have imposed tougher penalties on gun trafficking and for straw purchasers (those who buy guns for individuals barred from legally owning firearms).
Cornyn amendment failed 57-43. It would have federalized interstate reciprocity for concealed-carry permits. Currently, states have bilateral reciprocity agreements with each other which vary widely. Thus a person with an easily obtained Florida concealed-carry permit could carry a hidden firearm in California, where such permits are far more difficult to come by.