Senate leader McConnell says 'nobody wants terrorists to have firearms'WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday that “nobody wants terrorists to have firearms” and that he was open to suggestions from experts on legislation that could address the problem, following the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. McConnell, a Republican, made his remarks amid blistering attacks by Democrats on the lack of action in Congress on legislation to prevent suspects on “watch lists” from purchasing guns or explosives. While there was no firm evidence of Republicans and Democrats in either the Senate or House of Representatives moving toward a compromise, there were hints they at least might be willing to talk. “Maybe we can find some middle ground. I hope so,” said Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat. The debate in Congress over firearms was reignited on Sunday after a gunman in Orlando, Florida, armed with an assault rifle killed 49 people at a gay nightclub and injured 53 others before he was shot to death by law enforcement officers. The assailant, New York-born Omar Mateen, had been investigated by the FBI for 10 months in 2013 and 2014 over possible connections he had to foreign militant groups. Democrats are pressuring Republicans in the Senate and House to quickly bring up legislation closing a loophole that allows those on “no fly” watch lists to purchase weapons in the United States. The Democrats are targeting a Justice Department appropriations bill this week, hoping to add an amendment prohibiting such gun sales. A similar effort last December failed. “There’s no excuse for allowing suspected terrorists to buy guns,” said Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid. McConnell took a swipe at the Democrats, saying: “Our suspicion is this is basically a politically motivated effort that we’re likely to see” on the Justice Department spending bill. The Republican leader added, however: “We’re open - nobody wants terrorists to have firearms - we’re open to serious suggestions from the experts as to what we might be able to do to be helpful.” On Wednesday, senators from both parties will have an opportunity to speak directly to some experts when Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson are scheduled to brief them on the Orlando attack. The officials briefed House members on Tuesday and several House Democrats brought up the watch list issue. “There was some question about procedures going forward,” said Representative Jan Schakowsky, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee. But House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the No. 2 Republican in that chamber, told reporters that law enforcement was already being notified if people being investigated for terrorism try to buy firearms. “If you listen, they are being notified.” Durbin said he and his colleagues might pursue other gun-related amendments as well, including tougher background checks on gun buyers, closing some gun show loopholes and possibly new limits on assault rifles like the one used in Orlando. politicsNews
senate leader mcconnell says wants terrorists reuters senate majority leader mitch mcconnell said tuesday nobody wants terrorists firearms open suggestions experts legislation could address problem following worst mass shooting history mcconnell republican made remarks amid listening attacks democrats lack action congress legislation prevent suspects watch lists purchasing guns explosives while firm evidence republicans democrats either senate house representatives moving toward compromise hints least might willing talk maybe find middle ground i hope said dick during no senate democrat the debate congress firearms reunited sunday gunman orlando florida armed assault rifle killed people gay nightclub injured others shot death law enforcement officers the assailant new omar matter investigated fbi months possible connections foreign militant groups democrats pressing republicans senate house quickly bring legislation closing loophole allows fly watch lists purchase weapons united states the democrats targeting justice department appropriations bill week hoping add amendment prohibiting gun sales a similar effort last december failed there excuse allowing suspected terrorists buy guns said senate democratic leader harry reid mcconnell took swine democrats saying our suspicion basically politically motivated effort likely see justice department spending bill the republican leader added however we open nobody wants terrorists firearms open serious suggestions experts might able on wednesday senators parties opportunity speak directly experts federal bureau investigation director james come homeland security secretary jeh johnson scheduled brief orlando attack the officials briefed house members tuesday several house democrats brought watch list issue there question procedures going forward said representative jan schakowsky democratic member house intelligence committee but house majority leader kevin mccarthy no republican chamber told reporters law enforcement already notified people investigated terrorism try buy firearms if listen during said colleagues might pursue amendments well including tougher background checks gun buyers closing gun show loopholes possibly new limits assault rifles like one used orlando politicsnews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: Senate leader McConnell says 'nobody wants terrorists to have firearms'WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday that “nobody wants terrorists to have firearms” and that he was open to suggestions from experts on legislation that could address the problem, following the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. McConnell, a Republican, made his remarks amid blistering attacks by Democrats on the lack of action in Congress on legislation to prevent suspects on “watch lists” from purchasing guns or explosives. While there was no firm evidence of Republicans and Democrats in either the Senate or House of Representatives moving toward a compromise, there were hints they at least might be willing to talk. “Maybe we can find some middle ground. I hope so,” said Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat. The debate in Congress over firearms was reignited on Sunday after a gunman in Orlando, Florida, armed with an assault rifle killed 49 people at a gay nightclub and injured 53 others before he was shot to death by law enforcement officers. The assailant, New York-born Omar Mateen, had been investigated by the FBI for 10 months in 2013 and 2014 over possible connections he had to foreign militant groups. Democrats are pressuring Republicans in the Senate and House to quickly bring up legislation closing a loophole that allows those on “no fly” watch lists to purchase weapons in the United States. The Democrats are targeting a Justice Department appropriations bill this week, hoping to add an amendment prohibiting such gun sales. A similar effort last December failed. “There’s no excuse for allowing suspected terrorists to buy guns,” said Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid. McConnell took a swipe at the Democrats, saying: “Our suspicion is this is basically a politically motivated effort that we’re likely to see” on the Justice Department spending bill. The Republican leader added, however: “We’re open - nobody wants terrorists to have firearms - we’re open to serious suggestions from the experts as to what we might be able to do to be helpful.” On Wednesday, senators from both parties will have an opportunity to speak directly to some experts when Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson are scheduled to brief them on the Orlando attack. The officials briefed House members on Tuesday and several House Democrats brought up the watch list issue. “There was some question about procedures going forward,” said Representative Jan Schakowsky, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee. But House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the No. 2 Republican in that chamber, told reporters that law enforcement was already being notified if people being investigated for terrorism try to buy firearms. “If you listen, they are being notified.” Durbin said he and his colleagues might pursue other gun-related amendments as well, including tougher background checks on gun buyers, closing some gun show loopholes and possibly new limits on assault rifles like the one used in Orlando. politicsNews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: senate leader mcconnell says wants terrorists reuters senate majority leader mitch mcconnell said tuesday nobody wants terrorists firearms open suggestions experts legislation could address problem following worst mass shooting history mcconnell republican made remarks amid listening attacks democrats lack action congress legislation prevent suspects watch lists purchasing guns explosives while firm evidence republicans democrats either senate house representatives moving toward compromise hints least might willing talk maybe find middle ground i hope said dick during no senate democrat the debate congress firearms reunited sunday gunman orlando florida armed assault rifle killed people gay nightclub injured others shot death law enforcement officers the assailant new omar matter investigated fbi months possible connections foreign militant groups democrats pressing republicans senate house quickly bring legislation closing loophole allows fly watch lists purchase weapons united states the democrats targeting justice department appropriations bill week hoping add amendment prohibiting gun sales a similar effort last december failed there excuse allowing suspected terrorists buy guns said senate democratic leader harry reid mcconnell took swine democrats saying our suspicion basically politically motivated effort likely see justice department spending bill the republican leader added however we open nobody wants terrorists firearms open serious suggestions experts might able on wednesday senators parties opportunity speak directly experts federal bureau investigation director james come homeland security secretary jeh johnson scheduled brief orlando attack the officials briefed house members tuesday several house democrats brought watch list issue there question procedures going forward said representative jan schakowsky democratic member house intelligence committee but house majority leader kevin mccarthy no republican chamber told reporters law enforcement already notified people investigated terrorism try buy firearms if listen during said colleagues might pursue amendments well including tougher background checks gun buyers closing gun show loopholes possibly new limits assault rifles like one used orlando politicsnews