Since last week’s mass shooting at a Florida high school, many people are looking to Congress to make a change.
Sen. Mike Crapo (R) says he’s reflected on the issue of gun violence since last week’s school shooting, but reinforced his support of Second Amendment rights at a press conference at the Idaho Capitol Tuesday. The Republican instead indicated he favors a closer look at mental health systems in the wake of the mass shooting. Crapo pointed out that the FBI had received tips about the alleged shooter, but didn’t act on them.
“It is [about] being much more aggressive in identifying and then acting on the kinds of issues that we have. And in mental health it would mean getting treatment and support and help for those people who are identified.”
Crapo says he still backs his bill that would loosen federal regulations overseeing the sale of gun silencers after last week’s mass shooting at a Florida high school.
“I still strongly support that legislation. That is one of the biggest issues to those law-abiding Americans who choose to hunt or to use guns in recreation or for self-protection.”
Crapo says his bill would protect the hearing of hunters and gun enthusiasts. Buyers would still have to undergo a background check to purchase a silencer, but they wouldn’t have to wait months for federal approval or pay a $200 fee under the proposal.
The national debate since the shooting has largely fallen along party lines, with Democrats calling for stricter gun control measures and Republicans pointing to holes in mental health and law enforcement policies.
According to the Washington Post, the National Rifle Association has donated more than $29,000 to Crapo since 1998.
Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill
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