Page 4 - ARUBA TODAY

A4 U.S. NEWS
Monday 9 april 2018

Democrats even in GOP country shift toward gun restrictions

By THOMAS BEAUMONT a liability for Democrats."
OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) While Nebraska's Ashford,
— Just 18 months after de- advocated some gun con-
claring his opposition to trol measures during two
banning assault weapons, terms in the state Legisla-
Nebraska Democrat Brad ture, he said during a 2016
Ashford has changed his debate with Bacon, "I don't
mind. think we should ban assault
The former one-term con- weapons."
gressman, now trying to In Washington, Ashford did
win back an Omaha-area not join lawmakers from
seat he lost in 2016, used to both parties in backing
consider it futile to push for legislation to expand back-
a ban while Republicans ground checks, saying any
held power on Capitol Hill. gun measures would have
But the student activism proved futile in the GOP-
that has followed the ram- controlled House. Nor did
page at a school in Park- he go along with about 150
land, Florida, has changed Democratic co-sponsors on
his thinking in a way that a measure to ban assault
other high-profile shoot- rifles after the shooting in
ings, including two in his San Bernardino, California,
hometown since 2007, had in 2015.
not. "I had no belief that putting
Ashford's conversion mirrors In this Nov. 9, 2016, file photo, Brad Ashford speaks at a news conference in Omaha, Neb. Just 18 a lot of effort in an assault
the one underway in his months after declaring his opposition to banning assault weapons, Ashford has changed his mind. weapons ban would get us
party. Not long ago, a mod- Associated Press anywhere," Ashford said in
erate record on guns would an Associated Press inter-
have been considered a up and fight for the kids." including 90 percent of to ban assault rifles and ex- view. "I had sort of lost faith
plus for a Democratic can- Eastman, director of a Democrats, think gun laws pand background checks in our ability to ever get
didate in the GOP-leaning children's nonprofit group in the U.S. should be tight- for gun buyers. In 2016, there."
suburbs and conservative and a community college ened. Comstock's Democratic The students in Florida and
outskirts of Nebraska's larg- board member, has fo- There are political risks. opponent endorsed only elsewhere who mobilized
est city. Today, even with cused her message on sub- The Omaha district repre- modest changes. after the Parkland shooting
Ashford's reversal, it's a vul- urban women and young sented by Republican Don Last month, Democrat have changed Ashford's
nerability that his opponent people. She and other Bacon has a healthy num- Conor Lamb won a spe- mind.
in the May 15 Democratic progressives, energized by ber of gun owners, and cial congressional election "The Parkland thing, now I
primary has been quick to rallies across the country, that could make Eastman's in southwestern Pennsylva- just feel reinvigorated, and
exploit. say they the best way to call for comprehensive nia in which he advocated I would vote for an assault
That contest, along with turn out voters is to offer a gun control a problem for expanded background weapons ban, today," he
races in Virginia, rural Penn- contrast to pro-gun Repub- her if she advances to the checks, a once disqualify- said.
sylvania and other places licans. general election. The GOP- ing position in a district that Eastman, his primary oppo-
where gun control has "Women have had it with leaning district includes a Donald Trump won by 20 nent, is keeping the pres-
been taboo, shows how far what's going on," said Crys- portion of a rural county percentage points in 2016. sure on.
the Democratic Party has tal Rhoades, the Douglas south of the city where Lamb stopped short of em- She accuses Ashford of be-
traveled on this issue. The County Democratic Party many active duty and re- bracing an assault weap- ing on both sides of the is-
November elections will chairwoman who supports tired military personnel from ons ban, though Sen. Bob sue at a time when voters,
test whether Democrats will Eastman. "They're mad that Offutt Air Force Base live. Casey, D-Pa., has joined especially young people
make room for candidates they have to worry about "I don't think their mindset the call. And longtime gun and parents, demand ac-
who don't back all gun sending their kids to school has changed. If you're pro- advocate Joe Manchin, a tion. And she's ready to
control measures. out of fear they'll be mur- gun, you're still pro-gun," Democratic senator from delivery, saying she sup-
"He should have been dered." said Charlene Ligon, the West Virginia, led an un- ports an assault weapons
stronger on this," said Kara Polling shows there's little Democratic chairwoman successful effort to expand ban, universal background
Eastman, the 46-year-old disagreement among in rural Sarpy County. "And background checks in checks and an automatic
political newcomer running Democrats on the question there are a lot of people 2015. waiting period between
against Ashford, a 68-year- of stricter gun laws. with guns around here." "It certainly seems to be a purchase and delivery.
old former Republican, for A poll last month by The In a northern Virginia swing realignment of what was "I'm talking to voters, they
the Democratic nomina- Associated Press-NORC district, all six Democrats viewed as politically expe- are frustrated with that and
tion in the 2nd Congressio- Center for Public Affairs who hope to challenge dient," said Andrew Patrick are looking for someone
nal District. "We need lead- Research found that 69 the Republican incumbent, of the Coalition to Stop Gun who stands by their convic-
ers who are going to stand percent of those surveyed, Barbara Comstock, want Violence. "This is no longer tions," she said.q