Bennet Statement on Senate Votes to Block Terrorists from Buying Guns

Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement following the Senate's votes on four gun-related amendments, all of which failed to garner the 60 votes needed for further consideration.

"In Colorado and across the country, we've seen the breaking news of tragic mass shootings far too many times. And somehow Congress remains paralyzed. Today's vote is another sad example. Congress could not take commonsense steps to block terrorists from buying guns or to establish background checks like we have in Colorado that help keep guns out of the hands of criminals."

In Colorado, the average background check takes less than ten minutes, and about 98 percent of those who applied were allowed to purchase a gun. The two percent who were denied were largely made up of criminals, such as murderers, rapists, kidnappers, and domestic abusers.