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A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 3 sepTember 2019

Biden, Buttigieg say no compromises on overhauling gun laws

By THOMAS BEAUMONT and shootings, in El Paso, Texas, ons such as the AR-15. Yet shooting, to work with a same stance as Biden and
BILL BARROW and Dayton, Ohio. any movement to tighten divided Congress to “stop Buttigieg, however. Klobu-
Associated Press Biden’s and Buttigieg’s po- gun laws has stopped cold the menace of mass at- char has co-sponsored a
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) sitions represent a rare case for years with Republicans tacks.” Senate proposal to ban mil-
— Democratic presidential itary-style weapons. But she
candidates Joe Biden and acknowledged that’s more
Pete Buttigieg, moderates of a wish-list item for Demo-
who project themselves crats given GOP control of
as pragmatic collabora- the Senate.
tors, are taking a no-com- For now, she said, the “min-
promise approach on the imum of what we should
overhaul of the nation’s do” includes expanded
gun laws after the latest background checks, the
mass shooting. red flag laws and closing
Campaigning separately in the so-called boyfriend
eastern Iowa on Monday, loophole that deals with
the former vice president gun rights for perpetrators
and the mayor of South of domestic violence.
Bend, Indiana, say the mini- Federal law that bars those
mum provisions include uni- convicted of misdemeanor
versal background checks, domestic violence against
a ban on military-style spouses and “similarly situ-
weapons and high-capac- ated” companions from
ity ammunition, and red possessing firearms. The
flag laws to allow officials prohibition has been ap-
to confiscate firearms from plied in cases of live-in
dangerous people. companions, but Klobu-
Biden told reporters be- char argues it doesn’t go
fore a Labor Day picnic in far enough to protect some
Cedar Rapids that inac- victims who weren’t living
tion from President Donald with their abuser.
Trump and congressional Democrats’ broad field of
Republicans is “disgrace- presidential candidates
ful.” has been unified in call-
Asked if there’s room for ing for stricter gun laws.
negotiation, he declared: But Biden’s strong position
“None. This is one we have Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks to reporters during Monday stands out given
to just push and push and the Hawkeye Area Labor Council Labor Day Picnic, Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. his advocacy for more
push and push and push.” Associated Press compromise on Capitol Hill.
Buttigieg also rejected Previously, he has said he
compromise, saying after of absolutism from the two controlling one or both He notably came out in fa- is capable of working with
a campaign event in Ce- men. Despite their genera- chambers of Congress. vor of background checks Senate Majority Leader
dar Rapids: “There is just no tional divide, at ages 76 Buttigieg and Biden both in 2018 after 17 students Mitch McConnell and re-
good faith in the congres- and 37, both have staked predicted that intransi- and adults were killed at called that, as a young
sional GOP nor, I believe, their campaigns in part on gence will draw voters’ ire a Parkland, Florida, high senator in the 1970s, he
in the White House when it calls for a more civil, pro- at the ballot box. school, only to quickly re- found ways to work with
comes to dealing with this ductive governing process “If Republicans don’t make treat under pressure from Southern segregationist
issue.” in Washington. that right choice this time, I the National Rifle Asso- senators elected during the
Their comments come two They both pointed to public think they will be punished ciation. He’s followed the Jim Crow era.
days after a gunman toting opinion polls are a reason with the loss of power. And same course after recent This time, he said, there’s
an assault-style rifle went for their uncompromising maybe that’s what it will killings in California, Ohio no place for a bargain be-
on a rampage in Odessa, approach. take to motivate them to and Texas. cause Republicans are be-
Texas, killing seven people According to national pub- come a little more in line Another Democratic presi- ing “irrational.”
around town before being lic opinion polls for the past with the American peo- dential candidate, Amy “I’ll work with Mitch McCo-
gunned down by police. several years, large ma- ple,” Buttigieg said. Klobuchar, on Monday nnell where we can agree,
The FBI said the shooter jorities of Americans sup- Added Biden: “It’s going noted Trump’s reversal. but on this one he’s not
“was on a long spiral of go- port requiring background to result in seeing some of “He flipped” after talking going to agree because
ing down.” checks for all gun buyers. them defeated.” to the NRA, Klobuchar said. he is where the president
This shooting occurred less Majorities, though smaller, Trump expressed a com- “That’s what happens.” is,” Biden said. “So we just
than a month after two also support banning the mitment Sunday, hours af- The Minnesota senator have to beat them, flat out
other high-profile mass sale of military-style weap- ter the latest deadly mass stopped short of taking the beat them.”q