GOP Senator Seeks Bipartisan Support For No-Fly List Gun Ban

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A moderate Republican senator is seeking support from both parties for a compromise to block guns from suspected terrorists.

Maine Sen. Susan Collins was discussing her plan with GOP leaders on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Senate split along party lines and rejected rival plans from each side aimed at preventing known and suspected extremists from getting guns.

There are about 1 million people on the government's overall terrorist watch list. Collins' proposal would apply to far fewer people. It would let federal prosecutors bar guns for the 81,000 people on the federal no-fly list, and the 28,000 people on the government's selectee list. Those are people who can board planes after extra screening.

It remained uncertain Tuesday whether leaders would allow a vote on Collins' plan, and whether it could pass.

"A lot of Americans woke up this morning shaking their head that we're still willing to sell guns to people on the terrorism watch list. Can't get on a plane, but we'll sell them a gun tomorrow," Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy told WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau.

The latest gun control showdown in the Senate came eight days after the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

In response to the Senate inaction, the New York Daily News front page featured a picture of the U.S. Capitol dripping in blood with the headline, "Slaughterhouse."

"I'm mortified by today's vote, but I'm not surprised by it," said Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, who prompted the vote with a marathon filibuster.

President Barack Obama said on Twitter that the Senate failed the American people and that gun violence requires more than moment of silence. The White House has said previously that tweets from his account are from Obama himself.

Democrats are hoping change will happen at the ballot box, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.

"When one is in such a tough election cycle, maybe their hearts and minds are opened up to the reality of what their electorate wants and that is why I believe that this is an issue that ultimately the American people will decide," New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez said.

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