Senate votes to block rule on guns and mentally impaired

Gun tile
Gun tile

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Republican-led Senate has voted to block an Obama-era regulation that would prevent an estimated 75,000 people with mental disorders from being able to purchase a firearm.

The 57 to 43 vote to revoke the regulation now sends the measure to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.

The Obama administration rule strengthened the federal background check system by requiring the Social Security Administration to include the names of beneficiaries with mental impairments who also have a third party to manage their benefits.

But critics say the rule was too broad and unfairly stigmatized the disabled. With a Republican ally in the White House, the GOP has moved aggressively to rescind several late Obama administration regulations.

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander voted to repeal the rule.

"I voted to roll back this Obama rule today because it was too broad and could have prevented individuals with issues like eating disorders from being able to purchase a gun," Alexander said. "Additionally, this regulation could have deterred some people from applying for Social Security benefits out of fear of being added to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System database."

It is still illegal for anyone who has been "adjudicated as a mental defective" to purchase a firearm.

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