GOP House leadership to vote against bipartisan Senate gun bill

The top three House Republicans say they will vote against the bipartisan Senate gun bill and will actively whip votes against it.

Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) told Congressional Republicans during a Wednesday conference that they will vote against the bill.

Fox News also reported that Scalise will ask members to vote "no" on the legislation.

House GOP Conference Chairwoman, the chamber's No. 3 Republican, also released a statement Wednesday saying she will vote against the bill.

"As this blatant government overreach seeks to make gun owners second-class citizens, I will continue to stand up for the Constitution and push for solutions, including advocating for increased mental health resources across the country," the New York congresswoman said in a statement about her planned "no" vote.

Though the Senate bill was supported by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a number of Republicans are opposing the legislation, including the House Freedom Caucus, which released a statement of opposition on Tuesday. 

"Red flag laws permit the preemptive seizure of firearms from Americans without due process by allowing any person to report a gunowner to law enforcement and petition for the confiscation of that individual’s firearms, even before the gunowner has an opportunity to defend themselves," caucus members' statement.

McConnell called the bill a "commonsense package of popular steps" to prevent gun violence, following a string of mass shootings around the country.

But the sentiment does not seem like it will fly in the lower chamber. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pa.) asked House GOP leadership to whip against the bill, a suggestion that was reportedly greeted with some applause in conference.