In the News

By Larry Bivins

 

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s sweeping gun control proposals Wednesday raised both hope and concern among members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation.

 

While Democrats in the delegation described the president’s call as a good start toward curbing gun violence in America, Republicans were leery of possible infringements on the constitutional right to bear arms.

 

Obama urged Congress to quickly pass legislation banning assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines for civilian use and to require background checks for all gun buyers. He also called for a crackdown on gun trafficking and enhanced mental health and school safety measures.

 

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, said Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have shown exemplary leadership on the gun control issue in the wake of Newtown, Conn., shooting rampage that left 20 elementary schoolchildren dead.

 

“Now Congress needs to work across party lines and find common ground,” Baldwin said. “To do nothing in response to the tragedy of mass shootings and gun violence is simply unacceptable.”

 

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, said while he welcomes the debate and “will carefully consider each and every element” of legislation that comes before the Senate, he will not support any measure he believes restricts constitutional rights.

 

“I want to help communities find ways to avoid the kind of tragedies we’ve recently witnessed in Wisconsin and Connecticut,” Johnson said. “I encourage a national discussion — and will be open to common sense ideas — to better protect people from crazy individuals who are willing to use any tool available to kill as many people as possible.”

 

Rep. Tom Petri, R-Fond du Lac, said Obama’s “heart is in the right place,” but he was “skeptical about some of the gun control proposals.” He noted Connecticut has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation.

 

“It’s important we go about this the right way,” Petri said. “Some of the best solutions may not come from the president or Congress, and I do not want to see the Constitution ignored in the process.”

 

As a hunter who represents a district with many sportsmen, Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, said he will push for a balanced approach to gun control.

 

“We have a responsibility to take care of the safety and security of all of our citizens,” Kind said. “We must move forward with a long-overdue discussion, but at the same time we must also listen to the voices of law-abiding, safety-conscious gun owners in America.”

 

Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, agreed it is past time to deal with gun violence in America.

 

“Today’s actions by President Obama are a good first step at addressing the rampant gun violence that plagues our nation,” Moore said. “It is my hope that we will now demonstrate the will to see that these initiatives are enacted and take root in our communities.”

 

To view this article online, please click here.