McCain Defends Obama’s Anger Over Gun Measure

Sen. John McCain came to the defense of President Barack Obama Thursday, saying he understands the anger and emotion the president displayed when he denounced those who voted against a universal background check amendment as part of a larger Senate gun-control measure.

McCain told CNN he sympathized with Obama's description of the vote on Wednesday as a “shameful” day in Washington because lawmakers failed to pass the legislation that grew out of the tragic December massacre of 20 schoolchildren and six educators in Newtown, Conn.

“I understand how the president felt very strongly,” McCain said. “He was in Newtown. He feels the suffering of the families, and I can certainly understand, given his point of view, why the president got somewhat emotional.”

When asked if he agreed with Obama's claim that gun-rights groups had lied about what was in the bill and what it would do, McCain said he “didn’t pay a great deal of attention” to what the opponents of the measure said.

McCain was just one of six Republicans to vote in favor of extending background checks to gun-show and online sales.