Reid Pulls Weakened Gun Control Legislation

Given that the gun legislation moving through the Senate had been stripped of pretty much every reform advocates considered meaningful, Harry Reid today yanked what remained from consideration, reports the Hill. But he promised the Senate would revisit the proposal to tighten background checks after this indefinite "pause and freeze" period. "It is only a matter of time," said Reid, who ended up voting no on the measure himself yesterday to make this legislative maneuver possible. "The stand of the Republicans is not sustainable.”

Given that only four Republicans bucked their party on the vote, however, Reid and Democrats have much work to do. One thing they're looking at, according to the New York Times: Trying to change Senate rules so that the legislation would need only a majority of votes to pass rather than a filibuster-proof 60. Republican Pat Toomey, who helped craft the amendment on background checks, tells the Morning Call of Allentown that he has "no regrets" about the failed effort. "I did the best I could," he says. "I wish it had passed, but the Senate has spoken and these things happen." (More Harry Reid stories.)