Tensions between Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and GOP leaders burst into the open Thursday over a pro-gun-rights amendment Paul wants to add to the Patriot Act.



Paul said Republican leaders were working to scuttle his measure, which would restrict the federal government from examining some gun records as part of anti-terror efforts.



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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is allowing a vote on Paul’s amendment, but Paul told Slate that his party's leaders were working to kill it.“I'm now being blocked by the Republicans, and the Republicans tell me that they're going to refuse to let me have any votes,” he said.Allies of Paul also criticized Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) over the measure.“We've put on so much pressure that even Democrats agreed" to bring up the amendment, said Matt Hawes, vice president of Campaign for Liberty, a nonprofit aligned with Paul. “We'd expect Republicans of all people to be with Rand. But they are working against him.”The group also circulated an email message to supporters, urging them to call the offices of McConnell and his top deputy, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ky.)“Tell them to show some backbone by joining Senator Paul's historic stand to protect law-abiding gun owners from the federal government's prying eyes,” wrote John Tate, the group's president. “Demand they stop blocking his essential amendment.”McConnell's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.McConnell and Paul have had a tumultuous relationship. McConnell supported Kentucky Attorney General Trey Grayson instead of Paul in last year’s GOP Senate primary. Once Paul won, McConnell offered his support.Paul’s first speech on the Senate floor criticized Sen. Henry Clay, one of McConnell’s role models.McConnell on Wednesday did vote for Paul’s budget blueprint. He was one of only seven senators to do so.