Democrats in Washington, D.C. have said they plan to introduce new gun control legislation in Congress, following last Friday’s shootings in Connecticut. Bans on so-called assault-weapons and on high capacity magazines have been discussed.
In a conference call Tuesday, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-ID, told reporters that true assault weapons are already banned and any further legislation would erode the second amendment.
“I continue to disagree that increased gun control is going to resolve the issues of violence that we have in our society," Crapo said.
"The weapons that are probably going to be included in this new proposal are simply the kind of firearms that people who live in states like Idaho and other places where firearms are used for hunting and for self-defense.”
Crapo said instead of writing gun control legislation, he would like the Senate to focus on mental health issues and ways to prevent violent behavior.
Sen. Jim Risch, R-ID, issued a statement of sympathy and sorrow on Friday. Through a spokesperson, he added, “when emotions are this high, now is not the time to make policy."
Idaho’s two U.S. Representatives, Republicans Raul Labrador and Mike Simpson, did not comment on any potential legislation.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Gov. C.L “Butch” Otter says the conversation on gun control should wait until the ongoing police investigation in Newtown, Connecticut concludes.
Copyright 2012 Boise State Public Radio