This is a step in the right direction—and I'm grateful Walmart has taken action—but we can't rely on corporations to stop gun violence. We need universal background checks, we need red flag laws, and we need to buy back every single assault weapon. https://t.co/m8fr3qzZcx
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 3, 2019
O’Rourke’s interest in “buying back every assault weapon” will not go over well with many gun owners, especially conservatives. Right-wing Americans are generally critical of measures which penalize lawful gun owners for the actions of rouge, psychopathic criminals.
Nevertheless, O’Rourke is standing by his assertion that having the firearms of lawful gun owners “stay on the streets” is dangerous.
See for yourself:
I was asked how I'd address people's fears that we will take away their assault rifles.
I want to be clear: That's exactly what we're going to do. Americans who own AR-15s and AK-47s will have to sell their assault weapons. All of them. pic.twitter.com/YbnSsz3bVy
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 2, 2019
Where Do Other Democrats Stand?
O’Rourke’s rhetoric on taking the guns of lawful citizens adds a new element to an already heated debate. However, other 2020 Democrats, such as Cory Booker are supportive of mandatory buybacks. Furthermore, Booker has expressed an interest in enforcing an “outright ban” of assault weapons.
