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Gun control legislation fails in the Senate, President Obama responds

Posted at 3:59 PM, Apr 17, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-17 18:57:38-04

(CNN) -- The U.S. Senate on Wednesday defeated a proposed ban on semi-automatic guns modeled after military assault weapons, dealing another blow to the package of tougher firearms laws sought by President Barack Obama in the aftermath of the Newtown school massacre.

President Barack Obama lashed out Wednesday at those in the U.S. Senate who voted against a compromise proposal to expand background checks on firearms sales, saying those who defeated the legislation "decided it wasn't worth it."

Obama said, "we can do more" to impose stricter gun laws and warned that "if this Congress refuses to listen to the American people ... the real impact is going to have to come from the voters." He spoke moments after key components of a package of firearms laws failed in the Senate.

Obama blamed the defeat of a compromise deal on stricter gun laws on "the gun lobby and its allies," saying those against the legislation "willfully lied" about its provisions.

Click here to see a transcript of President Obama's complete statement regarding the vote.

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