President Joe Biden revealed the Republicans he believes he could work with to advance gun control.
On Monday, the president said he would “continue to push” to reform gun laws, but has not discussed it with Republicans yet, as CNN’s Jeremy Diamond reported.
Biden added, “I think things have gotten so bad that everybody is getting more rational about it — at least that’s my hope and prayer.”
According to Biden, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) are “rational Republicans” and believes “there’s a recognition on their part that things can’t continue like this.”
Biden says he considers McConnell & Cornyn to be "rational Republicans" and says he thinks "there's a recognition on their part that things can't continue like this."
— Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) May 30, 2022
Additionally, Biden told reporters there is no reason for individuals to own high caliber weapons, as IJR reported.
“The 9mm bullet blows the lung out of the body,” Biden said.
He added, “That idea that… high caliber weapon, there’s simply no rational basis for it in terms of self-protection, hunting.”
Biden also argued the Second Amendment “was never absolute. You couldn’t buy a cannon when the Second Amendment was passed.”
"The Constitution, the Second Amendment was never absolute. You couldn’t buy a cannon when the Second Amendment was passed," Biden said. "I think things have gotten so bad that everybody is getting more rational about it."
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) May 30, 2022
Some other Republicans appear to be in favor of stricter gun restrictions, including Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.).
On Sunday, Kinzinger said he is open to a federal ban on AR-15 rifles.
“Look, I have opposed a ban, you know, fairly recently. I think I’m open to a ban now,” Kinzinger told CNN.
He explained, “It’s going to depend on what it looks like because there’s a lot of nuances on what constitutes, you know, certain things.”
Kinzinger argued, “At that point it’s like, ‘OK, this is getting out of hand.”
He added, “The problem is everyone is scared to inaction. They’re frightened of the loudest voices. And 90% of Americans are begging that we do something.”
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday there are “many more Republicans willing to talk” about advancing gun control legislation after the deadly shooting in Uvalde, Texas, last week, as Axios reported.
