Pro-Gun Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin Suggests New Gun Laws - East Idaho News
Politics

Pro-Gun Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin Suggests New Gun Laws

  Published at

Getty P 040711 JoeManchin?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1355758728555Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., has been as pro-gun, pro-NRA as anybody in Congress.  During his 2010 re-election campaign, he famously demonstrated his opposition to the cap-and-trade bill by shooting the bill (literally) with a rifle.

Now, in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., massacre, Manchin says it is time to re-think gun control.  As he said Monday on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, “I don’t know anyone that needs 30 rounds in a clip to go hunting…”

On Twitter, Manchin endorsed a proposal by Sen. Joe Lieberman to create a national commission on gun violence.  But he said there must be action as an end result.

President Obama has not yet specifically advocated new legislation to curb gun violence.  But speaking before the grieving families of Sandy Brook Elementary School in Connecticut Sunday night, he asked if the nation can say it is doing enough to protect its children.

“If we’re honest with ourselves the answer is no,” he answered. “We’ve not been doing enough.  And we will have to change.”

Obama has not made gun legislation a priority of his administration, although he supports renewing the assault weapons ban, which was in effect from 1994 until 2004.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

SUBMIT A CORRECTION