Rep. Ted Deutch said Thursday that he’s skeptical Sen. Marco Rubio has really changed his position on guns.
“I’m glad he’s rethinking. I hope he finishes rethinking by the time he gets back to Washington,” Mr. Deutch, Florida Democrat, said on CNN.
The network held a town hall late Wednesday with students from the shooting at a Florida high school, as well as with lawmakers and a representative from the National Rifle Association.
“He doesn’t agree, clearly, with what the Supreme Court said that there are limitations to Second Amendment rights,” Mr. Deutch said of Mr. Rubio.
The high court, he explained, limits the right to bear arms against weapons like bazookas or a military tank. He said he’s hopeful Mr. Rubio will be supportive of limitations to gun ownership, but said he made similar promises after the Orlando nightclub shooting in 2016.
“I want him to be a partner on these issues. Of course, we should move forward. I, and I think a lot of people, are more than a little skeptical,” Mr. Deutch said.
The topic of gun control came back to the forefront last week when a gunman opened fire on Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, leaving 17 people dead and more than a dozen wounded. The suspected shooter, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, had a propensity for violence, according to disturbing social media posts. Police said he used an AR-15 to carry out the mass shooting.
Mr. Cruz was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder and is being held without bond.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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