Charlie Crist (D-FL-13), the former Republican governor of Florida turned Democrat congressman, who is once again mounting a gubernatorial bid, made his case for gun control measures during a Friday campaign appearance.
“One of the most common-sense things that we can do is ban assault weapons,” Crist said in Miami Beach. “It is hard for me to imagine why we already don’t do that.”
“Assault weapon” is a term commonly misused by the political left. Semi-automatic rifles are legal in the United States. Fully automatic firearms were banned in 1986.
Crist likely knows that. When he was a Republican candidate for governor, he received an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association. That rating turned into an “A+” after he took office.
But he is running as a Democrat now, and Friday’s speech served to bolster his newfound stance in favor of gun control.
He has now been endorsed by the Newtown Action Alliance, a gun control group founded after the deadly 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
He said America needs “better background checks,” and that he would seek to cut through partisan divisions in Florida’s Congress to enact stricter gun control measures.
He also chided Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who after an event in Sarasota Friday morning, flew to California for a fundraising event. DeSantis is not only running for reelection in 2022, but is a potential 2024 candidate for President.
He said that executive action on gun control would “of course be an option” in the Sunshine State, were he elected, but stressed the importance of “good negotiation” with Congress.
“Talk to people,” he said. “Regardless of what party they are, present common-sense ideas and listen to them, show respect. And by doing so you can find common ground.”
Miami-Dade County has been a recent hotbed for gun violence.
Three people were killed when gunmen opened fire on a crowd outside El Mula Banquet Hall. The suspects are still on the loose.
This weekend also marks the fifth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting, where Omar Mateen killed 49 people after pledging his allegiance to ISIS.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Florida Star News and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to dabroscareports@gmail.com.