Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif. on Sunday defended his call for a ban on assault weapons, asserting such a measure won’t lead to a wider weapons ban.
In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Swalwell, who was expected to officially kick off his presidential campaign Sunday, said his ban is narrowly targeted.
"You know, keep your pistols, keep your long rifles, keep your shotguns,” he said. "I want the most dangerous weapons, these weapons of war, out of the hands of the most dangerous people."
"It's not just the violence that they've caused, it's the fear, the immeasurable fear that our children live in because they are still on our streets. I want to get rid of that fear,” he added.
Swalwell said his ban offers an alternative to “keep them at a hunting club or a shooting range. The reason I propose this, these weapons are so devastating.”
Swalwell also said he supports Medicare for all — but also favors letting people keep their private plans.
“I support a bill that would give Medicare to all,” he said. “The part of the bill that I would strike would be to give a public option, the Medicare portion, but allow people to keep plans they like… Employers may offer a better plan. I think it’s very much in our DNA to have choice.”
He also said his Medicare to all plan would drive down costs.
“I do agree with … having Medicare access for anyone who wants it, because that would drive down the cost,” he said, adding: “It’s the best bill out there that can do that right now, but being a leader means sitting down a negotiating and finding what works.”
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