By Don Walton
In the wake of this week’s slaughter of 58 people by a gunman opening fire on spectators at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas, Democratic congressional candidate Dennis Crawford has called for enactment of gun control legislation.
“As a member of Congress, I would pledge to take on the NRA (National Rifle Association) and vote for common sense legislation aimed at reducing gun violence and making it harder for unsuitable people to purchase guns,” the 1st District candidate said.
“These terrible gun laws are the result of years of special interest lobbying by the NRA, which represents the gun manufacturing industry,” Crawford said.
“It is all too easy to get a gun in the U.S.,” he said.
Crawford said he supports some reforms proposed in a op-ed column by Nicholas Kristoff published in The New York Times, including imposing a universal background check for anyone wishing to purchase a gun.
Other proposed legislation would impose a minimum age limit of 21 for all gun purchases, ban possession of guns by anyone subject to a domestic violence protection order and place limitations on multiple gun purchases by individuals.
“Another solution to the ongoing problem of gun violence is to make mental health care treatment more accessible and affordable to people who need it,” Crawford said.
Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry is “badly out of touch with his constituents” in dealing with the issue, Crawford said.
“If you want different results out of Washington, you have to vote for different people,” he said.
Fortenberry is seeking re-election to the House next year in eastern Nebraska’s 1st District, which includes Lincoln.