As lawmakers, activists and students push for change in gun laws in the aftermath of the latest school shooting in Florida, Arizona’s congressional contingent is weighing in.
Sen. Jeff Flake is among some Republican members calling for legislation. He blames a lack of leadership on Capitol Hill for the inaction.
“There have been things that have been proposed, that I have been a part of proposing, that I think can pass if we just take it up," Flake said.
Tucson Democratic congressman Raul Grijalva is pessimistic. He believes that this tragedy will be treated no differently than previous ones.
"Are we going to deal with the low-hanging fruit, like prohibition of the bump stock? No. Are we going to look at universal background checks for purchases? No. Are we going to close loopholes? No," Grijalva said.
Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema, the Democrats’ leading contender for Senate, says she supports mental health legislation. Sinema, though, was one of only a few in her party who voted to repeal an Obama administration rule last year that had put restrictions on gun ownership for those with mental illness.
