(ConservativeHub.com) – According to a report by The Washington Post, several current and former U.S. senators have expressed regret over their past votes against gun control measures, particularly in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012.
Former Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota reflected on her decision to vote against a background check bill following the Newtown tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of 20 children and six staff members. Heitkamp, who was a new senator at the time, now feels that she was too passive in seeking solutions and regrets not supporting the bill, despite her disagreements with its specific language.
The article also mentions the emotional impact that meeting with the families of the Sandy Hook victims had on senators like Heitkamp. Former Senator Mark Begich of Alaska, another lawmaker who voted against the 2013 gun control bill, now believes he should have been more proactive in challenging the political dynamics of the time.
Several senators suggested they were influenced by the National Rifle Association in their decision-making process at the time of the vote. Former Senator Mark Udall of Colorado expressed a wish to go back in time and vote for the ban due to the worsening issue of gun violence.
Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico shared how his perspective changed after his son’s involvement in protests against gun violence following the Parkland, Florida, school shooting in 2018. Heinrich now believes that the 2013 bill, though not perfect, was worth supporting in light of the continued prevalence of mass shootings.
Senator Mark Warner of Virginia was influenced by his daughters’ questions about his stance on gun control after each mass shooting. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado also shifted his position since voting against the 2013 bill, influenced by a constituent whose daughter was killed in the 2012 Aurora movie theater shooting.
In response to these ongoing issues, Senators Bennet, Heinrich, Angus King of Maine, and Mark Kelly of Arizona introduced a new bill focusing on regulating guns based on their internal mechanisms rather than cosmetic features, as manufacturers can easily modify the latter to circumvent bans. King emphasized the need for this approach after a shooting in Maine killed 18 people, solidifying his commitment to gun control legislation.
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