While Sen. Mitch McConnell’s support for the deal is being credited with helping maintain momentum on a delicate compromise gun safety package, his Kentucky colleague, Rand Paul, took aim at the agreement in a series of tweets Wednesday.
Paul vowed to introduce amendments to fix what he dubbed “constitutional deficiencies” in the legislation — accusing crafters of the deal of working in secret with little intent to debate or amend the language.
Paul pointed specifically to red flag laws as a concern, saying he can’t support legislation that “funds or encourages gun confiscation predicated on anonymous accusations.” The senator went on to say he’s against provisions prohibiting funds from being used for firearms or firearms training for school personnel.
No one wants to see guns in the hands of criminals, and no one wants to see tragedies like we saw recently in Texas. I’m both a law-abiding gun owner, and a parent, and I want our schools and kids safe.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 22, 2022
Senate negotiators released details about the deal Tuesday. The Senate’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer, said he expects the legislation to pass the chamber by the end of the week.
