CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Despite a string of mass shootings in the United States, U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., remains opposed to changing federal gun laws.
“I think the worst thing we can do is try to infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens by passing any more kind of gun control laws,” Mooney said on Friday’s “MetroNews Talkline.”
“Criminals don’t obey laws anyway; it just infringes on law-abiding citizens.”
Mooney’s comments Friday came hours after a former FedEx employee shot and killed eight people at an Indianapolis facility. According to the Associated Press, FBI agents interviewed the suspect last year after his mother warned police that her son may commit “suicide by cop.”
The Indianapolis Police Department identified the person as 19-year-old Brandon Scott Hole.
Mooney instead suggested fully prosecuting violent criminals and preventing these people from owning firearms.
“But that don’t mean these crooks won’t steal a gun or fake the paperwork or something like that, but we have enough laws,” he added. “We should enforce the existing laws.”
President Joe Biden on Friday urged legislative action to address gun violence, calling the issue “an epidemic.”
“Today’s briefing is just the latest in a string of tragedies, following closely after gunmen firing bullets in broad daylight at spas in and around Atlanta, Georgia, a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, a home in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and so many other shootings,” he also said.
Biden ordered flags to be at half-staff until Tuesday at sunset to honor the victims.