Graham Won't Support Filibuster on Gun Control Bill

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., says he would not support some of his fellow Republicans in a filibuster of pending gun control legislation — as long as amendments are allowed.

“I like to have an open process. The only way I would filibuster a bill is if (Senate Majority Leader Harry) Reid did not allow alternative amendments,” Graham said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday morning.

That does not mean Graham favors the current bill before the Senate that expands background checks for private gun transfers.

“If I get an alternative to it, I’d vote against it. This idea of private individuals transferring their weapons and having to go through a background check makes no sense,” Graham said.

Asked whether he favored adding background checks to purchases made at gun shows, which is not currently required, Graham didn’t answer directly, aiming instead at what he said is a broader reach of the current legislation.

“Well, if you ask the question: Should a father have to do a background check when they give their son a gun for Christmas . . . that’s what the bill does,” he said. “The bill requires private individual transfers to go through the federal system.”