Add another Democrat from gun state publicly coming out for gun control to the list:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
On Wednesday, two more Colorado lawmakers came out in favor of stricter gun control laws: Colorado Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet.
"I’ve come to the conclusion that military style weapons really don’t have any place in our society, Udall told Stokols. "We ought to reinstate the assault weapons ban that served us well for 10 years from 1994 to 2004.” - Huffington Post, 12/21/12
Udall was speaking with Fox 31's Erik Stokols:
“It’s just not acceptable to do nothing in the face of these periodic massacres,” Udall said, calling for a “comprehensive approach” that also includes focusing on mental health. - Fox 31 Denver, 12/20/12
Udall and Bennet have been criticized by local media for giving credulous statements about whether or not they would support new gun control legislation and renewing the ban on assault weapons:
http://blogs.denverpost.com/...
In the aftermath of too many violent mass shootings, unwillingness from Bennet and Udall to take even general stands on guns smacks of being more concerned about their political fortunes than in the fortunes of the people who have suffered as a result of laws that are too lax.
Their silence so far this week reminds me of 2009. Just days after their ridiculous votes in favor of allowing concealed weapons in national parks, the pair were singled out for what appeared to be expedient “yes” votes on a failed effort to force states to honor concealed weapons permits issued by other states — even if issuing states’ permitting procedures were weak.
At the time, both Udall and Bennet denied that they were willing to, as the Washington Post’s Dana Milbank reported, “vote ‘no’ if necessary,” though his account was supported by others who witnessed the day’s proceedings.
Are Bennet and Udall beholden to the gun lobby, or willing to stand up to it?
They can answer that question now by sharing their positions in order to avoid any confusion on the issue. Or they can continue to see where the herd is headed and leave us guessing as to their motives. - Denver, Post, 12/19/12
Udall also publicly went on the record that he would vote for the reinstatement of the ban on assault weapons and a separate ban on high-capacity magazines:
“I’ve been listening to Coloradans over the last week, I’ve been studying the laws that are in place. As I considered what happened in Aurora this summer and now Connecticut and the mass shootings in between, it just seems to me that guns that belong on the battlefield and are used to kill as many people as possible, that we ought to make sure they don’t get in the hands of people who want to commit these heinous crimes.
“I wanted to believe that the existing laws we have would be enough to prevent these tragedies, but experience tells us otherwise.” - Fox 31 Denver, 12/20/12
Good to hear Senator. Udall's colleague and DSCC Chairman, Senator Michael Bennet (D. CO) also made his support for new gun legislation and banning assault weapons clear:
"The shooters in Aurora and Newtown should not have had access to the guns or magazines they used. I believe a combination of improved access to mental health services, restrictions on certain weapons intended for the battlefield, and elimination of the gun show loophole are sensible steps that can reduce our children’s risk." - Fox 31 Denver, 12/20/12