Manchin, Toomey Consider Changes To Gun Bill To Woo Rural Senators

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Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) are considering changes to their background check legislation in an effort to win support from rural senators and secure the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

TPM confirmed the news with a Senate aide familiar with the talks, who cautioned that no changes are final. The bill as it stands appears to be short of 60 votes.

The senators are considering exempting dealers who live more than one hundred miles from a firearm licensee from having to conduct background checks on their buyers.

The aim is to entice lawmakers who want to support expanded background checks but are from predominantly rural states, such as Sens. Lisa Murkowski (D-AK), John Hoeven (R-ND) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND).

The move could delay consideration of the amendment, which was expected to be taken up Wednesday.

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