Illinois Rep. Bob Dold urged both Republicans and Democrats to come together to pass gun control measures in the wake of the Orlando gay nightclub massacre.
Dold, a Republican, echoed some Democrats, saying, "Thoughts and prayers are not enough. It's time for action," according to
NBC Chicago.
"The hateful terrorist attack targeting America's LGBT community in Orlando is another reminder of the pressing need to come together and work across party lines to root out terrorism, prevent gun violence and put an end to bigotry of all kinds," Dold said, according to NBC Chicago.
"We cannot let partisanship define this debate. We must take action, and united action, to ensure that nothing like the attacks in Orlando, Paris, Newtown, or San Bernardino ever happen again," Dold said, according to
Politico.
Dold joined Democratic legislators to urge the passage of legislation to prevent terror suspects from purchasing firearms and explosives. He encouraged the House to push legislation he sponsored with former Rep. Gabby Giffords — who survived a shooting attack — about universal background checks.
Dold also called for passage of legislation he sponsored about preventing domestic abusers from buying weapons. He endorsed legislation from Illinois Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley that notifies law officials when a gun buyer fails a background check.
Dold's opponent in November criticized his calls for action. Former Rep. Brad Schneider, a Democrat, said that Dold refused to allow a vote on keeping weapons away from people on the no-fly list.
"His vote is even more outrageous given the fact that he took to the House floor just minutes before the vote and called for 'decisive action,' only to turn around and block the same action for which he just demanded," Schneider said, according to Politico.
He did not endorse bans on assault weapons such as the kind Orlando shooter Omar Mateen used, according to the Politico report.
Dold's communications director, Brad Stewart, told the
Chicago Tribune that Dold is not ruling out those bans, but he is focusing on "legislation he thinks we can build consensus on and actually pass."
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