Reid renews pledge to allow votes on gun law

WASHINGTON - Sen. Harry Reid insisted Tuesday he will allow the Senate to vote on new gun controls even as he remained silent on whether he would support them personally.

"I will do everything in my power to bring legislation dealing with gun and violence issues generally to the floor," Reid told reporters, repeating a pledge he has made in recent days.

The Democratic Senate majority leader from Nevada said "it's very clear" the Senate Judiciary Committee will write a bill that will be brought before the full Senate, and "there will be an amendment process where people can bring up whatever amendments they want that deal with this issue."

The timeline for action is uncertain. The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold hearings beginning today on guns, with witnesses at the first hearing to include Wayne LaPierre, president of the National Rifle Association, and Mark Kelly, the husband of Gabrielle Giffords, the former U.S. House member from Tucson, Ariz., who was shot in a supermarket parking lot in January 2011.

Reid commented on guns after Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., raised questions anew as to whether the Nevadan was committed to advancing a gun bill.

"I'm unclear yet whether the majority leader wants to bring a gun measure to the floor," said McConnell, the Senate Republican leader. "It will be up to him to determine whether we see that issue on the floor."

Since President Barack Obama outlined proposals for new gun laws following the December shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Reid has been at the center of speculation as to whether he would allow Democratic senators up for re-election in conservative states to take tough votes on guns, and whether he personally was committed to new gun controls.

Reid said earlier this month the Newtown tragedy, in which 20 first-graders and six adults were killed, "was just the latest sad reminder that we are not doing enough to protect our citizens - especially our children - from gun violence and a culture of violence."

The Nevadan, who owns guns and grew up shooting them, has called for a broad examination of violence, including guns, but also depictions of violence in movies and on television, and in video games.

"All options should be on the table," he said earlier this month.

As he has in other appearances, Reid on Tuesday sidestepped endorsing a proposal by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to ban assault weapons, saying it would be premature. Reid also has not given his view on proposals to limit sales of ammunition or to broaden background checks on gun buyers.

Reid said he and Feinstein have discussed her legislation.

"I'll take a look at it," Reid said. "As I've indicated, we are going to have votes on all kinds of issues dealing with guns, and I think everyone would be well advised to read the legislation before determining how they are going to vote."

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Follow him on Twitter: @STetreaultDC.