Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Western New York Congressman Chris Jacobs' comment Friday that he would support an assault weapons ban is turning heads in the Republican party and getting the attention of national press reports.
Jacobs, a Republican who represents a largely conservative and rural district, come as there are growing bipartisan calls for measures to be take in the wake of the mass shooting attack at a Buffalo Tops store and the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
"If this assault weapons ban came to the floor that would ban something like an AR-15, I would vote for it," said Jacobs. Jacobs would draw the line and reject any legislation allowing for confiscation of weapons and identifies himself as a staunch backer of the second amendment.
Jacobs also noted that capacity limits for weapons could be an effective measure. "Why does a civilian need a 30 or 50 round magazine? For recreation or hunting, I believe something along the lines of 10 is perfectly reasonable."
Age limits are another area Jacobs is willing to see changes made, answering widespread calls for increasing the age limits for some weapons from 18 to 21. "Individuals cannot buy beer, they cannot get cigarettes at 21. I think it's perfectly reasonable that the age limit, at least for highly lethal, high capacity, semi-automatic weapons should be 21."
President Joe Biden said Monday that the “Second Amendment was never absolute” and that, after the Texas elementary school shooting, there may be some bipartisan support to tighten restrictions on the kind of high-powered weapons used by the gunman.
"I think things have gotten so bad that everybody’s getting more rational, at least that’s my hope,” Biden told reporters before honoring the nation's fallen in Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery.
His comments came a day after he traveled to the shattered Texas community of Uvalde, mourning privately for three-plus hours with anguished families grieving for the 19 children and two teachers who died in the shooting. Faced with chants of “do something” as he departed a church service, Biden pledged: “We will.”
In Congress, a bipartisan group of senators talked over the weekend to see if they could reach even a modest compromise on gun legislation after a decade of mostly failed efforts. That included encouraging state “red flag” laws to keep guns away from those with mental health problems. A congressional aide said the senators would meet virtually Tuesday and throughout the week.
There is nowhere near enough support from congressional Republicans for broader gun measures like a new ban on assault-type weapons or universal background checks on gun purchases. Still, Democratic advocates hope meaningful measures could still pass.
Biden said he had taken some executive actions on guns “but I can’t outlaw a weapon” and can't "change the background checks.”
He said he didn't know where congressional negotiations stand, but “there’s realization on the part of rational Republicans” that ”we can’t keep repeating ourselves.”
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