To amend S. 2507 by requiring registration of handguns and licensing of owners of such guns.

On Aug 7, 1972, the Senate voted 11–78 (S 2507). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 9–43, Republicans 4–38, Others 0–1, Independents 0–1. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 13 members voted against their own party.

During the 92nd Congress (1971–1972), Richard Nixon was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 11
No: 78
Did not vote: 6
Date: Aug 7, 1972

By party

Democrats9 yes · 43 no · 3 didn’t vote
Republicans4 yes · 38 no · 3 didn’t vote
Others0 yes · 1 no
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

John Varick Tunney D-CA voted yes
Abraham Alexander Ribicoff D-CT voted yes
Hiram Leong Fong R-HI voted yes
Edward Moore (Ted) Kennedy D-MA voted yes
Edward William Brooke III R-MA voted yes
Edmund Sixtus Muskie D-ME voted yes
Philip Aloysius Hart D-MI voted yes
Clifford Philip Case R-NJ voted yes
Harrison Arlington Williams Jr. D-NJ voted yes
Clinton Presba Anderson D-NM voted yes
Jacob Koppel Javits R-NY voted yes
Claiborne de Borda Pell D-RI voted yes
John Orlando Pastore D-RI voted yes

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To amend S. 2507 by requiring registration…: Senate Vote, Aug 7, 1972,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/92-S-752/to-amend-s-2507-by-requiring-registration-of-handguns (accessed 2026-10-17).