Ryan Ray
U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson came out in support of President Barack Obama‘s vow to take action on gun control Tuesday.
The president, in a national address, said he will move on his own to take executive action to restrict access to firearms, closing the so-called “gun-show loophole” that he says allows devious would-be gun buyers to avoid background checks by buying at gun shows or online.
Grayson’s heated comments come as no surprise to Florida political observers, who have become accustomed to his populist firebrand style.
“I support the President’s executive action to close the gun show loophole. And, frankly, I don’t understand why Congressional Republicans are complaining about it,” said Grayson. “To me, their arguments seem like nonsense.”
“But if you buy a gun at a ‘gun show’ or online, even from a gun dealer, then there is no background check. Therefore, one can buy it even if one is a felon, a fugitive, a drug addict, undocumented, dishonorably discharged, committed to a mental institution, etc.”
Speaking for Americans in general — which polls show are ambivalent when it comes to gun control — Grayson seemed incredulous at the fact that anyone would oppose the president’s controversial new step.
“Why would we, The American People, want to establish a system of ‘universal’ background checks for would-be gun owners, and then exclude gun dealers selling at gun shows (or online) from that universe?” Grayson asked rhetorically. “Why? What’s the point? I just don’t get it.”
The move may put pressure on Grayson’s more moderate rival for the Democratic nomination, Patrick Murphy. Murphy has largely avoided wedge social issues, sticking to bread-and-butter Democratic planks like support for environmental restoration and maintaining Social Security and Medicare.
Murphy issued a statement applauding Obama as well on Tuesday, but in less stark terms.
“With our nation facing an average of 31 gun-related deaths each day, the need for action to curb gun violence could not be more clear or urgent. What the President announced today will not infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens but will help save lives and improve public safety,” said Murphy in a statement.
“These common-sense measures have the support of a bipartisan majority of Americans, and while this is a much-needed first step, it is disappointing that executive action was needed in the first place. Obstructionists in Congress have continually blocked gun violence prevention legislation despite broad support on both sides of the aisle and American families and communities deserve better.”
The two statements are in keeping with the contrast between the two Democratic hopefuls vying for the open Senate seat abdicated by Marco Rubio, which has largely turned on personal style rather than policy substance.
