Corrine Brown urges Congress to stand up to the NRA

Rep. Corrine Brown likely wasn’t counting on National Rifle Association support in her campaign in the newly redrawn Florida’s Fifth Congressional District.

That support, a statistical long shot to begin with, became even less likely in the wake of her fiery comments on News One Now, in which the veteran U.S. Congresswoman called on Congress to stand up to the NRA after the biggest mass shooting in American history happened in Orlando earlier this month.

“We in Congress need to do more than just have moments of silent prayer. It is unbelievable,” said Rep. Brown. “There is no group that should dominate the Congress. We have a job to do. There’s a multiplicity of things we need to do but to not do anything and be afraid of a group that says it will take you out doesn’t make sense. The people put you in [Congress] and not these groups. We have an allegiance to the American people.”

Brown referred to “homegrown terrorists” during the segment, bringing up other matters that contribute to terrorism, such as a “failure of mental health” services.

Omar Mateen, the murderer, was able to acquire an AR-15 despite a history of red flags and warning signs. Brown’s comments indicate a rhetorical divide between Democrats, who by and large frame his acquisition of the weapon as an indictment of American gun control measures, and Republicans, who say the real issue is Islamic extremism.

Brown currently represents parts of the Orlando area, which will change after this year.