Rep. Pete King Is The First Republican To Sign On To The Assault Weapons Ban

(NY Daily News) Michael McAuliff Aug 19 2019 2:59 PM WASHINGTON An assault weapons ban that Democratic leaders have been reluctant to advance despite strong support among their rank-and-file members in the House just got its first Republican backer Long Island Rep. Pete King. They are weapons of mass slaughter" King said shortly after his backing became public on Congress website Monday. I dont see any need for them in everyday society" King said. The Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 was rolled out in February by Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) with 190 other Democrats onboard. An additional 11 lawmakers signed on after mass shootings in El Paso Texas and Dayton Ohio left dozens of people dead and many more injured with King being among the most recent. King had been the lead sponsor of a bill improving background checks when Republicans controlled the House and was already one of a handful of Republicans backing that bill now. He had already been considering the assault weapons ban but the shootings in Ohio and Texas raised the level of urgency. I think the assault weapons ban is timely now especially in view of the shooting in El Paso and Dayton King said. Democratic leaders however have chosen to focus on background check legislation that already passed the House. Sources have told the Daily News that the leaders think they can best pressure on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on background checks because public support for them hovers around 90 and better. But they are also concerned that moderate Democrats in swing districts would face a backlash for backing a weapons ban and are unlikely to pursue one unless they believe it is certain to get 218 votes the number required to assure passage.