SPARTANBURG, S.C. — South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and fellow 2020 candidate Beto O’Rourke are sparring over how to deliver gun reform in America.
While campaigning in South Carolina this week, Buttigieg responded to his weekend disagreement with the former Texas Congressman. Buttigieg proposes focusing on gun legislation that has a higher chance of passing, thus saving more lives.
“I’m focused on what we can do right now,” Buttigieg said. “I don’t think we can wait. We have an opportunity right now to get universal background checks and a ban on the sale of assault weapons and high capacity magazines.”
He also supports red flag laws but he doesn’t think mandatory buybacks, like what O’Rourke is suggesting, are realistic.
O’Rourke set himself apart from the crowded debate stage last week by declaring his mandatory assault rifle proposal and he tweeted Buttigieg, saying his way of thinking would leave weapons of war on the streets.
Buttigieg says public safety is on the line while Congress stalls on gun legislation.
“I could care less about how Republicans are going to react to it,” he added. “What we can do right now, and I’m not talking just about politics but in government, is save lives. Because lives are on the line and we can’t afford to wait.”
Many Republicans are in favor of some sort of gun reform as well in the form of red flag laws and expanded background checks.
(PHOTO: Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
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