Dozens of national media crews were in attendance. A crowd of onlookers also gathered, whooping and applauding the series of speeches. McCarthy put her hand on Flynn's shoulder to comfort her. She regained her composure and spoke again with a powerful, steady voice. Seven of the students also met privately with Gephardt and Vice President Al Gore, who presented them with the written tally of the Senate roll call vote on the Lautenberg Amendment, which would have required background checks on all weapons bought at gun shows.
Current law allows unlicensed vendors to sell guns without background checks.
All four guns used in the April 20 Columbine massacre were sold by unlicensed dealers at gun shows. I had planned to frame that and keep it,'' Gore said. You all represent so much hope. While the climate in Congress is hardly favorable for passage of SAFE Colorado's proposals, the students were undeterred, focusing instead on further lobbying efforts and future success. The students vowed to send representatives to college campuses across the country to enroll new members and to speak at high schools as the new school year begins.