While Dayton, Ohio Mayor Nan Whaley and President Trump were discussing potential avenues of action in the wake of multiple mass shootings over the weekend, Whaley told Trump he had the opportunity to “do something Obama couldn’t do” by enacting some form of an assault weapons ban.
“[Trump] was kind of intimating that President Obama didn’t get the assault weapon [ban] passed, saying ‘Well, why didn’t Obama get this done?'” Whaley told CNN. “Sen. Brown said, ‘Look, he didn’t have the votes.’ … I said ‘maybe you can get the votes, Mr. President, you can do something that Obama couldn’t do. How about you get the votes for the assault weapons ban?'”
Whaley pointed out that Republican Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine voted for an assault weapons ban while serving in Congress in 2004. DeWine co-sponsored the renewal of the Federal Assault Weapon Ban that year and was given an “F” rating by the National Rifle Association for doing so. For years, the NRA has used a letter grade rating system to persuade voters to choose politicians that would support a pro-gun agenda that align with the NRA’s interests. The original ban was passed in 1994, but expired 10 years later and has since not been renewed.
Trump completed a two-city trip to both El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, to meet with local leaders and those affected by the mass shootings that occurred that left at least 34 dead and dozens wounded. Trump has announced his support of “red flag” laws to help prevent guns from being purchased by people who exhibit warning signs associated with violent behavior. A current bipartisan version of such a law is being put together by Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democratic New York Sen. Richard Blumenthal. Congress is currently in an August recess.
