Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) is looking to make an argument in comparing gun violence to drunk driving as he is seeking to defend law-abiding Americans who own guns.
After first calling what has occurred over the past year “tragic” with regard to gun violence, Kennedy said during Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, “We have a lot of drunk drivers in America … We ought to try to combat that too.”
He continued during the hearing on steps to reduce gun violence, “But I think what many people on my side of the aisle are saying too is the answer is not to get rid of all sober drivers. The answer is to concentrate on the problem.”
The Republican senator moved on to the topic of terrorism, “We’re often told not to condemn all of the actions of those of the Muslim faith because of the actions of a few. And I agree with that. So why doesn’t that same rule apply to the hundred-million-plus gun owners in America who are exercising their constitutional right?”
Watch Kennedy’s comments below:
Hours after America’s second mass shooting in a week, Sen. John Kennedy downplays the gun problem by noting that “we have a lot of drunk drivers in America that kill a lot of people. We ought to try to combat that too … the answer is not to get rid of all sober drivers.” pic.twitter.com/BvqhNvuWRJ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 23, 2021
Kennedy’s comments come after 10 people were killed at a Colorado grocery store in Boulder on Monday afternoon. This was the second fatal mass shooting in a week in the U.S.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) also said during Tuesday’s hearing, “We’ve had far too many tragedies in our country.”
After saying it is “time for us to do something,” Cruz noted, “What happens in this committee after every mass shooting is Democrats propose taking away guns from law-abiding citizens.”
See Cruz’s remarks below:
"I don't apologize for thoughts or prayers" — Ted Cruz pic.twitter.com/ngtcNM4hOc
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 23, 2021
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also offered remarks in a statement following the Boulder shooting, “The hearts of all Americans are with the Boulder community and loved ones of those killed in yesterday’s horrific shooting, including a Boulder police officer.”
“For the second time in a week, our nation is being confronted by the epidemic of gun violence,” she added.
Pelosi also called for change, “While we await further information on the details of this heinous crime, we continue to stand with victims, families and young people across the country saying, ‘Enough is enough.’ Democrats will keep fighting to end the daily tragedy of gun violence and keep our communities safe.”
