This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Dec. 17, 2012 - WASHINGTON – Taking a stand on a key gun control issue in the wake of Friday’s school shootings in Newtown, Conn., U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill said through a spokesman Monday that she will support a ban on assault-type weapons.
"Claire supports an assault weapons ban and wants to take a hard look at the number of rounds in magazines,” said McCaskill's spokesman Drew Pusateri – referring to the use in several recent mass shootings of ammunition magazines that can hold up to 100 rounds.
The statement from McCaskill, D-Mo., came as a number of lawmakers who traditionally have backed positions supported by the National Rifle Association indicated that they might reassess their positions on certain gun-control issues.
One of those lawmakers, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said Monday that it is time to discuss new regulations on assault-style weapons. “I don’t know anyone in the sporting or hunting arena that goes out with an assault rifle,” Manchin told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” ”I don’t know anyone that needs 30 rounds in a clip to go hunting. I mean, these are things that need to be talked about.”
McCaskill’s statement contrasted with that of her fellow Missourian, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who – while acknowledging that the Newtown shooting was a “huge tragedy” -- told reporters Sunday that the appropriate national response “is a lot more complicated” than gun control. He said mental-health issues need to be front and center, including the ability of authorities to track persons who might be a threat.
Agreeing that mental-health issues related to violence need to be reviewed, McCaskill's spokesman Pusateri said McCaskill “knows this is a complex issue and wants to see an increased focus on mental-health care.”
In the past, McCaskill has been careful in taking positions on gun control, but she was reportedly deeply disturbed by Friday’s school massacre.
“I’m stunned and sick to my stomach. And as a mother, I’m horrified,” she said in a statement Friday. “All of America is grieving for these children and their families. As we learn more, my prayers are with the students and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary, and with their families.”
After President Barack Obama’s speech Sunday at the Newtown vigil, McCaskill sent a Tweet, saying: "If you didn't see the president's remarks tonight at memorial in Newtown please pull it up and watch. Inspiring, moving. #prayfornewtown"
McCaskill’s support for a ban on assault-type weapons appeared to represent a toughening of her position related to gun control. In past political campaigns, she has said she is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right of citizens to bear arms. But gun-control advocates say the military-style weapons should not fall under such blanket protection.
On Sunday, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the second-ranking Senate Democrat, said his judiciary subcommittee on the constitution will hold a hearing in the next few weeks on issues related to the Second Amendment.
“We need to sit down and have a quiet and calm conversation on the Second Amendment,” Durbin told “Fox News Sunday.” He also called for "a national conversation" that would include a discussion of gun control and school safety.
In a Senate speech Monday, Durbin called for Congress to pass stronger gun laws following the Newtown shooting.
“What will it take for a majority of Americans to speak out for sensible firearms policy in our nation? It will take more than the shootings on streets in Chicago, East St. Louis and cities across the country. And sadly, it will take more than 26 victims, including 20 children, in a Connecticut grade school," Durbin said.
"The Supreme Court acknowledged that our Second Amendment rights are not absolute. So can we come together and agree that Americans have a right to own and use firearms for sport and self-defense within certain limits?"
In his speech, Durbin added: "Last year it is estimated that 6,000 Americans died because they foolishly were texting while driving. We now have a national campaign to stop texting and driving. To put it in perspective, last year, we also lost 30,000 Americans to guns. It’s time for us to view the safety and ownership of guns as seriously as we do the safety and operation of automobiles."
Meanwhile, Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., said she will introduce a bill on the first day of the new Congress to ban the sale of so-called “assault weapons” and high-capacity ammunition clips. Assault-type weapons had been banned in the past, but that ban has expired.
“I’m going to introduce it in the Senate, and the same bill will be introduced in the House,” Feinstein said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Asked about Feinstein's planned legislation, McCaskill’s spokesman said that – before voicing her support for any specific bill – the senator needs to review the language in its entirety.
“Claire's a daughter of rural Missouri, so she'll always protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans," said Pusateri. "But she's also a mom, and a former Jackson County prosecutor, and believes we can do better by our children with a little common sense.”