Let Senate vote on gun measures

Nearly four months after the horrific Newtown shootings, the Senate is poised to do something that hasn't been done for a long time in Congress - actually have a meaningful floor debate on reducing gun violence. Some senators and lobbyists are trying to make sure that no vote can take place. This should outrage the strong majority of American citizens who believe in reasonable gun rules to protect public safety.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and 11 other senators have promised to filibuster any discussion of gun safety rules. Instead of just voting against restrictions they don't like, they are trying to block any vote whatsoever. Their plan inspired Sen. John McCain to say the following: "The purpose of the United States Senate is to debate and to vote and to let the people know where we stand. What are we afraid of?"

Like McCain, I'm not afraid of the debate. Since joining the Senate, I've heard from thousands of citizens by phone, email, letter and in person. A Virginian, James Madison, drafted the Bill of Rights, and we in the commonwealth believe strongly in the Second Amendment. But just as we know that the First Amendment's protection of free speech gives no protection to slander or child pornography, we also understand that the individual right to bear arms is tempered by a responsibility to society.

That's why - after extensive discussion with our citizens (many are gun-owners like me) - I'm prepared to vote.

We need a better background record check system. The horrible shooting at Virginia Tech happened after a dangerous young man illegally bought weapons due to a loophole in the records check system. When we fixed it, we made Virginia safer. But too many gaps still exist, and more than 40 percent of gun sales occur with no check to ensure that purchasers are legally able to possess weapons.

I'm also convinced that reasonable limits on gun trafficking across state lines, super-size magazines and certain combat-style weapons make sense, and I'll be pleased to vote in support of such measures. There is no piece of legislation that will eliminate violence. But if we take concrete steps, we can make our communities safer.

I don't want to have this opportunity and shrink from the responsibility. And I especially don't want a tiny minority of senators and powerful lobbyists to block the legislative branch from even considering and voting on these proposals.

There are those who believe the National Rifle Association and its allies are so powerful that no legislation will pass. But the power of the organization's leadership is vastly overrated. I've run three statewide races in the NRA's home state. Its leadership campaigned vigorously against me each time, spending nearly $800,000 against me in my 2012 Senate race. I won all my races anyway.

The NRA leadership's track record in other statewide races is equally lackluster because poll after poll shows that Americans believe in reasonable gun safety rules. When even an overwhelming majority of NRA members supports universal background checks, it shows just how out of touch the organization's leadership has become.

The issue before us is whether a passionate minority - of senators and special interests - will block the majority from full debate and votes on gun safety. That passionate minority is pulling out all the stops. I received a mailing at my house last weekend attacking the Senate proposals in extreme terms. The mailing failed to make clear that it was paid for by gun manufacturers whose pocketbooks benefit from lax laws.

The moment for decision is here. The minority is trying to block debate. It's time for the reasonable majority to step up and be heard. If we miss this opportunity, it will only be a matter of time before we're awakened again by the next gun tragedy to hit the evening news.

Tim Kaine is a U.S. senator from Virginia.

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