GOP Sen. Dean Heller (Nev.) said Tuesday he believes a
bill tightening background checks on firearm purchasers has support to pass the
Senate and said such measures would be a “reasonable step forward.”
“Absolutely,” said Heller, when asked on CNN’s "Starting
Point" if there was growing bipartisan consensus on universal background checks.
Heller said he had heard from law enforcement officials
who said background checks, more than other proposals like a ban on
assault weapons, would be most effective in stemming gun violence.
“We had sheriffs form across the country in Washington, D.C.,
last week and I had discussions with my sheriffs back in Nevada and what they
feel about the assault-rifles ban and all of these issues. The consensus among these sheriffs was the
problem isn’t assault rifles, the problem is criminals and people with mental-health needs with assault rifles.”
“I think it’s a reasonable step forward,” he added.
Heller expressed skepticism about support for an assault-weapons ban and cautioned that he wanted lawmakers to take a broad approach to
tackling gun crime.
“Let’s have the discussion about guns, but let’s also have
the same discussions about mental health, violence on TV in the movies and
video games,” said Heller.
President Obama is pressing lawmakers to act on a number of
gun-control proposals including bans on assault rifles and high-capacity clips
and mandatory background checks.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said he would
allow a floor vote on any measures that move through the Senate Judiciary Committee,
which began hearings last week.
Reid on Sunday said he would support background-check
legislation but said banning assault weapons would have a tougher fight to win
Senate support.
