Final Nail In The Coffin On Gun Control?

The latest efforts to tighten gun control in the country have failed.

In a vote Wednesday, 41 Senate Republicans and five rural-state Democrats blocked legislation to tighten restrictions on the sale of firearms.

The Manchin-Toomey-Schumer proposal, which would have expanded background checks on gun buyers, fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance. The final vote was 54-46.

With attempts to ban assault-style rifles and high capacity ammunition magazines also dead, it appears gun control advocates may need to regroup.

The National Rifle Association stood its ground, signaling today that it will attempt to block any gun control legislation.

NRA lobbyist Chris Cox released a statement today reiterating the organization’s position.

“As we have noted previously, expanding background checks, at gun shows or elsewhere, will not reduce violent crime or keep our kids safe in their schools,” he said. “The NRA will continue to work with Republicans and Democrats who are committed to protecting our children in schools, prosecuting violent criminals to the fullest extent of the law, and fixing our broken mental health system.”

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Virginia) accused the NRA of making false claims about the expanded background check legislation, pointing to the organization's claim that friends, neighbors and some family members would need federal permission to transfer ownership of firearms to one another.

"Where I come from in West Virginia, I don't know how to put the words any plainer than this: That is a lie. That is simply a lie," he told The Associated Press.

Is the battle to tighten restrictions on gun ownership lost? Weigh in with your thoughts below.