Rep. Eric Swalwell posted on his Twitter account Thursday that the shooting in Philadelphia, in which six police officers were shot, proves having more guns in the hands of civilians would not make the country safer.
Pointing to the over 100 Philadelphia officers responding to the scene, the California Democrat said there was “a shooter firing hundreds of rounds for 7 hrs. 6 were shot. Thank god for our cops but can we cut the bulls–t that we are all safer if more non-cops have guns?”
#BREAKING Good guys had guns. Over 100 #Philadelphia officers were on scene trying to take down a shooter firing hundreds of rounds for 7 hrs. 6 were shot. Thank god for our cops but can we cut the bullshit that we are all safer if more non-cops have guns? #EnoughIsEnough
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) August 15, 2019
Swalwell is running for reelection in the House after he ended his bid for president. His presidential campaign primarily focused on gun control, unveiling the most extensive and ambitious plan on firearms out of the crowded 2020 candidate field.
He’s on the right side of history. I was alone when I first called for this, but I’m glad to see so many 2020 candidates embracing it. New ideas have power, and lives hang in the balance. #BanAndBuyBack #EnoughIsEnough #EndGunViolence https://t.co/kB6Qz6wQ0r
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) August 15, 2019
The alleged gunman in the hours-long standoff with police, Maurice Hill, 36, has an extensive criminal history going back to when he was 18.
His first arrest was in 2001 for having a gun with an altered serial number. Hill has since been convicted six times on charges that involved illegal possession of guns, drug dealing, and aggravated assault.
He pleaded guilty to federal gun charges in 2008 and was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison after being caught with a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver and a Taurus PT .45 semi-automatic, which he was not lawfully allowed to possess due to his prior felony convictions.
