© 2026. The Trustees of Indiana University
Copyright Complaints
1229 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Indiana Senators Weigh In On Gun Control Debate

Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Indiana, participated in a nearly 15-hour filibuster on gun control in the wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, started the filibuster, urging his colleagues to vote on gun control measures after 49 people died over the weekend in the country's largest mass shooting.

Donnelly echoed some of Murphy's sentiments, saying he's a strong supporter of the Second Amendment but believes there are smart ways to reduce gun violence.

"If a person is on a terrorist watch list, they shouldn't be able to buy a gun," Donnelly said.  "It is that simple and that uncomplicated."

The filibuster ended just after 2 a.m. Thursday, when Murphy said he had commitments from Republicans to hold a vote on the gun control measures.

The communications director for Senator Dan Coats, R-Indiana, says Coats is working with colleagues to craft legislation that would prevent known or suspected terrorists from purchasing guns, while preserving the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.