Tradeoff: Weaker Gun Laws For Voting Rights

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Mayor Adrian Fenty says he believes District residents support a voting rights bill even if amendments weaken the city's gun control laws.

Fenty told the Washington Post it would be a "tough call" to accept an amendment, but he hopes the city "won't have to make that choice."

The voting rights legislation would give the mostly Democratic District a seat in the House and an additional seat for majority Republican Utah.

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer pulled the measure from the House floor two weeks ago, fearing it would be amended. But Fenty suggests that gun-related amendments, if adopted with the bill, could be overturned.

The Senate has approved a similar bill with an amendment overturning gun control laws in the city. The D.C. Council passed a resolution opposing the move.