Agreed:
Following a shooting in Orlando that took 50 lives, U.S. Senate candidate Deborah Ross says it’s time to talk about common-sense gun safety.
Ross, the state’s Democratic Party nominee for U.S. Senate, made her comments on Monday when visiting Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church in Kannapolis to talk about the economy. When the church’s pastor referenced Orlando in a prayer before Ross’ campaign event started, she briefly spoke about the shooting. Ross also answered questions about issues pertaining to the shooting after the event.
“Our law enforcement did a beautiful job of making sure that the perpetrator was stopped, but there’s no excuse for this kind of violence,” Ross said during Monday’s event. “I’m sure in the days and weeks ahead we’ll talk about how we can prevent these kinds of tragedies from happening … We need to stop hate, and the only thing that can stop hate is being smart but also loving.”
When asked after Monday’s event, Ross said “the right time is now” to talk about issues that include gun safety. She specifically used the term “personal safety,” and said background checks could be a way to ensure terrorists and people who have a history of violence don’t have access to guns.
Ross said “the second amendment is very important, but we have to have common-sense gun safety.”
“We start by using the best intelligence, the best law enforcement and the best military in the world,” Ross said. “We also need to pay attention to our environment and make sure that what our officials talk about promotes security rather than promoting hatred and separating and dividing people. That would be more of a reflection of what’s going on with Orlando.”
Here’s a little more info:
A High Point University poll in March found some support in the state for certain gun control measures, with 89 percent of those polled saying they supported requiring background checks for gun buyers, including at gun shows and private sales.
It also found that 56 percent supported banning high-capacity ammunition clips while 52 percent support banning assault-style weapons.
But the same poll showed that 57 percent of North Carolinians say that protecting the constitutional right to own guns is more important than protecting citizens from gun violence.
"The Second Amendment is very important, but we have to have common-sense gun safety," Ross said.
While Ross is walking a tight line on this issue she is right about background checks and having her in the Senate would make her part of a U.S. Senate that gets things done. Click here to donate and get involved with Ross’ campaign.