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Sen. Portman open to range of approaches to reduce gun violence
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12/20/12 05:38 PM ET
Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) is open to possibly supporting new gun laws or mental health policies in response to the shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Portman, talking to reporters on Thursday, left open the possibility of supporting a range of approaches to prevent future shootings including new laws banning certain types of guns or new approaches to to dealing with mental health disorders.
"I think we ought to [consider] all of these, because I don't think we're going to get to the root of the tragedy," without considering a number of options, Portman said according to USA Today. "It's tempting after something like this to think there's a quick fix, and unfortunately I don't think there is."
Since the shooting, a number of legislators, including some with "A" ratings from the National Rifle Association, have called for action on guns. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) plans to introduce a new federal ban on assault weapons bill in 2013. Other legislators have said they plan on introducing legislation outlawing high-capacity gun clips. Portman, who voted against a 1994 assault weapons ban, said "both of those topics ought to be looked at."
"It's important that we look at this carefully, logically and understand what the trade-offs are. I'm a supporter of the Second Amendment," Portman added. "I am always concerned that we go too far with restricting rights when there is not a good case to be made [that] it will make us safer, but I'm open to looking at that issue."
Portman also said efforts on improving mental health policies should be considered, citing a number of other shootings over the past few years where the respective shooters reportedly suffered from mental disorders.
"That is the common thread you see in these shootings," Portman said. "These [gunmen] tend to be people who have fallen between the cracks or have been in the mental health system in a way that didn't keep them from getting access to guns. And there's more and more evidence that this is an issue that needs to be addressed."
Portman, talking to reporters on Thursday, left open the possibility of supporting a range of approaches to prevent future shootings including new laws banning certain types of guns or new approaches to to dealing with mental health disorders.
"I think we ought to [consider] all of these, because I don't think we're going to get to the root of the tragedy," without considering a number of options, Portman said according to USA Today. "It's tempting after something like this to think there's a quick fix, and unfortunately I don't think there is."
"It's important that we look at this carefully, logically and understand what the trade-offs are. I'm a supporter of the Second Amendment," Portman added. "I am always concerned that we go too far with restricting rights when there is not a good case to be made [that] it will make us safer, but I'm open to looking at that issue."
Portman also said efforts on improving mental health policies should be considered, citing a number of other shootings over the past few years where the respective shooters reportedly suffered from mental disorders.
"That is the common thread you see in these shootings," Portman said. "These [gunmen] tend to be people who have fallen between the cracks or have been in the mental health system in a way that didn't keep them from getting access to guns. And there's more and more evidence that this is an issue that needs to be addressed."
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