Gun control won’t help reduce violence, according to CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp. “Where we have the highest rates of gun control we also have the highest rates of crime,” said Schlapp, who also chairs the American Conservative Union, one of the largest and oldest conservative lobbying groups in the country. “If we’re going to jump to gun control as a solution to this problem of violence, we’re being deceitful to people,” he adds. “It’s really not going to solve the problem.” His statements, though, do contrast with other research. The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, for example, found that states with stricter gun laws, such as California, Connecticut, and New York, generally have lower rates of gun-related deaths. The most recent mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., hung over this year’s CPAC conference, which kicked off in Maryland on Wednesday. The attack has ignited a national movement -- helmed by the teenage survivors -- pushing for reform. Perhaps their efforts were responsible for a concession from Schlapp. “I would also admit that we’re at a time where I think we ought to do a lot more listening and learning and hearing people out,” adds Schlapp.

Share:
More In Politics
Biden's Super Tuesday Wins Transform Democratic Primary Race
A resurgent Joe Biden scored sweeping victories across the country with the backing of a diverse coalition and progressive rival Bernie Sanders seized Super Tuesday’s biggest prize with a win in California as the Democratic Party’s once-crowded presidential field suddenly transformed into a two-man contest.
Stocks Whipsaw After Fed Cuts Rates to Counter Coronavirus Effects
Stocks are whipping up and down after the Federal Reserve swooped into the market with an emergency rate cut in hopes of shielding the economy from the effects of the fast-spreading virus. Tuesday's surprise move gave stocks a strong, brief boost, but it took just 15 minutes for the gains to evaporate.
Virus Spread Prompts Fed to Slash Rates in Surprise Move
Chairman Jerome Powell said at a news conference that the virus “will surely weigh on economic activity both here and abroad for some time.” It was the Fed's first rate cut since last year, when it reduced its key short-term rate three times.
Scaramucci Wants Trump to Take a Backseat on Coronavirus
Anthony Scaramucci, the founder of SkyBridge Capital and former White House communications director, has an optimistic view of the markets going forward despite the headwinds of the COVID-19 outbreak and President Trump's handling of the health crisis.
Load More