Sen. John N. Kennedy said Tuesday that there is no need for more gun control, but rather “idiot control,” after a mass shooting in Florida left 17 people dead.
“I don’t think we need more gun control policy. I think we need more idiot control. I mean look what happened here. There were what 40 different calls placed to authorities,” Mr. Kennedy, Louisiana Republican, said on CNN.
The shooting at a Majory Stoneman Douglas High School has reignited the gun debate on Capitol Hill and in the White House. With members back in Washington this week after a 10-day recess, activists are looking to see if gun control will be taken up in either the House or Senate.
But some Republicans, like Mr. Kennedy, say the focus should be on making existing laws work and implementing new policies on mental health. Broward County Sheriff’s Office reportedly received over 20 calls about the gunman in the Florida case, but CNN reports there may have been over 40 calls.
Mr. Kennedy also said there needs to be a distinction between those who are mentally ill and those who are simply “evil.”
“We just automatically assume some of these folks are mentally ill. I happen to believe there’s evil in the world,” Mr. Kennedy said.
The suspected shooter in the Florida case used a semi-automatic AR-15 to carry out the attack sparking calls for a ban on all “assault weapons,” or at least raising the age to purchase such a firearm to 21-years-old. He also had a pattern of disturbing behavior that caused some close to him to contact authorities over concerns he could become violent.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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