FOG BLOG U.S. JUSTICE NEWS LOG: SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN NEW YORK STATE'S GUN LAWS!

Supreme Court strikes down New York's handgun law President Joe Biden responded Thursday to a Supreme Court ruling striking down a New York gun law placing restrictions on carrying a concealed handgun outside the home, calling the ruling, which marks the widest expansion of gun rights in a decade, telling reporters, “I think it's a bad decision.”

“I was just talking to [New York Governor Kathy Hochul] about this, I am disappointed in the Supreme Court gun decision,” Biden told reporters in the Roosevelt Room Thursday, while pointing to what he called a “little bit of solace,” in that, based on his understanding of Thursday’s ruling, “the gun laws in 40 of the states are still in place based on the decision.”

“Not good enough, but I think it's a bad decision, I think it's not reasoned accurately, but I'm disappointed.

In a paper statement released earlier Thursday, Biden said he was "deeply disappointed,” in the ruling, warning, following horrific shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, “we must do more as a society — not less — to protect our fellow Americans.” Democrats and Republicans haggled Thursday afternoon over scheduling votes on a package of amendments to the gun violence legislation as leaders work for an expedited vote for final passage, possibly later on Thursday.

Earlier today, the bipartisan gun safety bill moved one step closer to final passage in the Senate after a critical vote succeeded in advancing the measure with Republican support. The vote came just after the Supreme Court handed down its ruling on New York's gun law.

Now, a handful of Republicans – including Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas – are pressing for their amendments to be considered.

Democrats have expressed a willingness to allow some votes – knowing that they will likely fail – in return for moving quickly to a vote on final passage, but they don’t have a resolution yet.

The Senate will leave for a two-week recess after this vote, putting pressure on lawmakers to reach a deal and catch their flights home tonight.

Emerging from a lengthy GOP caucus lunch where the issues were discussed, Senate Republican whip John Thune told reporters things are “still murky” and said they would likely “clarify” in the next few hours but “right now there is a lot of swirl.”

“People are interested in seeing votes on their amendments, but I think everybody realizes it’s not going to change the outcome,” he said.

If no agreement is reached, the procedural clock will run out about 6pm Friday and the final vote will take place without votes on any amendments.