Iowa Republican Charles Grassley was among those who welcomed Gabrielle Giffords to a senate hearing on gun violence Wednesday in Washington, D.C.WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTIV) -
Iowa Senator Charles Grassley is weighing in the debate over gun violence. Grassley is the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee. He spoke at a hearing the panel held Tuesday on gun violence. Grassley says the shootings in Tucson and Newtown, Connecticut are terrible tragedies, but they should not be used to put forward every gun control measure.
"I also question the limitation on magazine capacities. Those can be circumvented by caring multiple guns, as multiple killers have done. We hear that no one needs to carry a larger magazine than those that hunters use to shoot deer but an attacking criminal, unlike a deer, shoots back,"said Grassley.
The senator said any serious discussion of the causes of gun violence must include a complex reexamination of mental health as it relates to mass shootings.
Former Representative Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, also testified before the committee. They both urged lawmakers to take steps to reduce gun violence.
"Speaking is difficult but I need to say something important," said Giffords. "Violence is a big problem. Too many children are dying. Too many children. We must do something. It will be hard but the time is now! You must act! Be bold, be courageous. Americans are counting on you."
Mark Kelly, added, "We're both gun owners, we take that right and the responsibilities that come with it very seriously. We watch with horror when the news breaks to another tragic shooting ... we said this time must be different, something needs to be done. We're simply two reasonable Americans who have said, enough."
National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre also testified before the committee on Wednesday. He says the NRA has done its part to teach people about gun safety and challenged the government to do its part to protect children and schools.
