Senator Kennedy Speaks on Gun Control After NYC Shooting

On Monday, Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy addressed gun control during an appearance on Fox News. His comments came in the wake of a tragic incident where a gunman claimed five lives and injured another in a Manhattan high-rise building.

During the segment, host Sean Hannity inquired about possible gun control measures expected from Democrats in response to the shooting. Kennedy expressed sorrow for the victims, stating, “I don’t understand why good things happen to bad people. I just don’t. Perhaps I’ll find out when I get to heaven.” He also acknowledged the police officers affected, expressing gratitude towards those who risk their lives in such situations and to the citizens of New York.

Hannity quickly chimed in, stating that there is a strong sentiment in New York against further gun control measures, though he wasn’t sure how to address the problem. “Deep down, I believe there is objective evil in this world,” he added, emphasizing that public sentiment doesn’t pity those responsible for the violence.

In contrast, New York Democrat Richie Torres called for a ban on specific semi-automatic weapons just hours after the tragic event, voicing concerns over what he deemed as “insanity” in allowing military-grade weapons to circulate freely. He noted that, despite New York’s stringent gun laws, the problem persists.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation recently reported that over 24 million modern sporting rifles like the AR-15 were estimated to be in circulation as of July 2022. Furthermore, the FBI’s 2023 data highlighted that rifles were involved in 523 homicides, while knives and personal weapons accounted for 1,630 and 1,231 murders, respectively.