Politics & Government
'Thoughts and Prayers Not Enough': Watch Rep. Robert Dold Call for Stronger Gun Control (VIDEO)
"We cannot allow partisanship to define this debate," the GOP congressman said Tuesday on the floor of the U.S House.
In the aftermath of Orlando's mass shooting this past weekend, U.S. Rep. Robert Dold (R-10th District) broke party ranks Tuesday by calling for stronger gun control measures while speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives.
"We must take decisive action and united action to ensure nothing like the attacks on Orlando, Paris, Newtown or San Bernardino ever happen again," Dold said. "Congress should immediately move forward and pass the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act. This commonsense bill would prohibit suspected terrorists from purchasing guns or explosives. Keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of people who wish to do our country harm is a solution we should all be able to get behind."
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Dold, who is up for re-election in the 10th Congressional District against former Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider, asked for bipartisan action when it came to stronger legislation that would help stem the tide of gun-related violence. He cited a bill he co-authored with Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) that would "prevent domestic abusers from being able to purchase weapons."
"We cannot allow partisanship to define this debate," Dold said.
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RELATED: Dold Ranked Among Most Bipartisan Members of Congress
Although his call for more gun legislation goes counter to the stances of his GOP colleagues, Dold did reinforce his party's focus on the threat of Islamic and international terrorism as it relates to Sunday's nightclub attack.
"Internationally, Congress must act to cut off sources of funding to other radical Islamic terror groups by restoring crippling sanctions on Iran," he said.
Watch U.S. Rep. Robert Dold's entire Tuesday speech on the floor of the House of Representatives.
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