GOP Rep Pete King has become the first Republican Repersetive to sign onto a Democrat “assault weapons ban”.
NY Daily News:
An assault weapons ban that Democratic leaders have been reluctant to advance despite strong support among their rank-and-file members in the House just got its first Republican backer — Long Island Rep. Pete King.
“They are weapons of mass slaughter,†King said shortly after his backing became public on Congress’ website Monday.
“I don’t see any need for them in everyday society,†King said.
The Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 was rolled out in February by Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), with 190 other Democrats onboard. An additional 11 lawmakers signed on after mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, left dozens of people dead and many more injured, with King being among the most recent.
King had been the lead sponsor of a bill improving background checks when Republicans controlled the House and was already one of a handful of Republicans backing that bill now.
He had already been considering the assault weapons ban, but the shootings in Ohio and Texas raised the level of urgency.
“I think the assault weapons ban is timely now, especially in view of the shooting in El Paso and Dayton,” King said.
Democrats have decided to focus on background check legislation instead, however.
Democratic leaders, however, have chosen to focus on background check legislation that already passed the House. Sources have told the Daily News that the leaders think they can best pressure on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on background checks because public support for them hovers around 90% and better. But they are also concerned that moderate Democrats in swing districts would face a backlash for backing a weapons ban, and are unlikely to pursue one unless they believe it is certain to get 218 votes — the number required to assure passage.
GOP Rep. Pete King said he hopes that this provides cover for other Republicans to support it.
“It might give cover to some other Republicans, it might give some incentive to Democrats,” King said of his move.
Two other Republicans support it but haven’t signed onto it yet.
Some other Republicans who have not signed on but have expressed support for the ban include Florida Rep. Brian Mast, who came out in favor of a ban after the Parkland High School slaughter last year, and Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, who said he supports one after the massacre in his Dayton district.
This is extremely dangerous. The Republican Party can’t get soft on guns because there is no one else to defend Americans right to own a firearm. The left’s plan is simple. Take away our 2nd Amendment right piece by piece until we no longer have it.
I support ZERO new gun legislation and the Republican Party should do the same.
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