search
Sections List
American Journal News

'I don't support gun control': GOP senator goes all-in for guns days after mass shooting

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) admitted he has no intention to support any gun safety measures to prevent another mass shooting from taking place.

By Dan Desai Martin - August 07, 2019
Share
Sen. Cory Gardner

In the aftermath of two horrific mass shootings, Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) made it abundantly clear that he will not support any gun safety legislation aimed at preventing another mass shooting.

Gardner has “no desire to implement gun-control measures to curb the violence,” the Vail Daily reported after Gardner gave remarks Monday in Aspen. The reporting was based on the very words Gardner spoke.

“I don’t support gun control,” Gardner said, just days after gunmen in El Paso and Dayton used assault rifles to kill more than 30 people over the weekend. Gardner refused to voice support for even the most commonsense, popular gun safety measures, such as universal background checks on all people who want to purchase guns.

Gardner’s radical position is far outside the mainstream, especially in a state like Colorado, which has been electing more and more progressive politicians in the past few years. A recent poll by Giffords, a pro-gun safety organization, shows that an overwhelming majority of Coloradans support a variety of gun safety measures. Further, Gardner represents a state home to two of the most devastating mass shootings in the U.S.: Columbine High School in 1999, and a 2012 movie theater shooting in Aurora. A total of 25 people died from those shootings.

Gardner, who is up for reelection in 2020, is already considered the most vulnerable Republican in the nation, and that was before he staked out a position on guns at odds with most of the people he represents.

A bill to require background checks passed the House of Representatives in February, and is opposed by the NRA. Also, the NRA has spent more than $3.8 million helping Gardner’s campaign efforts, and the group gives him an A rating.

At the event in Aspen, Gardner did claim to oppose white supremacy, which is reported to be the motivating factor behind the shooting in El Paso. In that case, the shooter left behind writings that mirrored the same racist rhetoric Trump has used, including referring to Hispanic people in America as an “invasion.”

“The white supremacy voices should be condemned each and every time they raise their heads and their ugliness,” Gardner said, according to the Vail Daily. But when an audience member pressed him on his embrace of Trump, who uses the same white supremacist language, Gardner steadfastly refused to condemn Trump.

“What are you doing to stand up to the leader of your party that spews racism and despite his denials, supports white nationalism?” one audience member asked.

“White supremacy has no room in this country,” Gardner responded.

“What are you doing about your president?” the same person asked.

“I am going to continue to condemn the white supremacy at every chance and every opportunity I get,” Gardner responded.

Gardner’s way of “condemning white supremacy” was to give his full endorsement to Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign.

Contrary to his words in Aspen, Gardner actively embraced white supremacist

Contrary to his words in Aspen, Gardner actively embraced white supremacist rhetoric in January, eagerly saying he will “be supporting the president” when it comes to next year’s election.

Before the El Paso shooting, the FBI warned about the rising threat of white supremacists. Meanwhile, Gardner refuses to make it harder for a terrorist to obtain a military-style assault rifle and embraces Trump, a man using his position of power to recite white supremacist talking points.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


AJ News
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Read More
AJ News
Latest
Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

By Jesse Valentine - April 22, 2025
Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

By Jesse Valentine - April 21, 2025
“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

By Bonnie Fuller - April 21, 2025
Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

By Jesse Valentine - April 17, 2025
Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

By Jesse Valentine - April 16, 2025
North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

By Jesse Valentine - April 11, 2025
Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

By Jesse Valentine - April 09, 2025
Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

By Jesse Valentine - April 08, 2025
Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Trump’s antiwar claims don’t hold up in leaked group chat

Trump’s antiwar claims don’t hold up in leaked group chat

By Jesse Valentine - March 28, 2025
Frontline Republican governors cheer on Department of Ed closure

Frontline Republican governors cheer on Department of Ed closure

By Jesse Valentine - March 26, 2025
GOP-led legislatures ramp up abortion restrictions

GOP-led legislatures ramp up abortion restrictions

By Jesse Valentine - March 18, 2025
HHS slashes vaccine research, amplifies misinformation

HHS slashes vaccine research, amplifies misinformation

By Jesse Valentine - March 11, 2025
Senate Republicans scrap consumer protections for payment apps

Senate Republicans scrap consumer protections for payment apps

By Jesse Valentine - March 10, 2025
Rep. Don Bacon admits he voted for Medicaid cuts

Rep. Don Bacon admits he voted for Medicaid cuts

By - February 28, 2025
Trump admin cracks down on affordable weight-loss treatments

Trump admin cracks down on affordable weight-loss treatments

By Jesse Valentine - February 27, 2025
Republican lawmakers are lying about Medicaid fraud

Republican lawmakers are lying about Medicaid fraud

By Jesse Valentine - February 26, 2025
Trump’s education pick: schools may lose funds for teaching Black history

Trump’s education pick: schools may lose funds for teaching Black history

By Jesse Valentine - February 13, 2025
JD Vance defends DOGE staffer who promoted eugenics 

JD Vance defends DOGE staffer who promoted eugenics 

By Jesse Valentine - February 10, 2025