Ted Cruz says violence is ‘only’ solution to violence, defends AR-15s

Reiterating his stance from gun control, Republican Senator Ted Cruz claimed that the “only” answer to violence is violence.

Cruz appeared at the Texas Tribune Pageant in Austin on Saturday, discussing mass shootings and gun regulate with moderator David M. Drucker of the Washington Examiner and different members of the audience. Echoing widespread GOP sentiments, Cruz argued that gun management regulations do not assist reduce violence and only provide to take firearms from citizens who obey the law.

“If the aim is to cease these crimes, gun handle is singularly ineffective,” Cruz stated. “When you disarm regulation-abiding citizens … [they] give up their weapons. The criminals don’t.”

Cruz was continuously booed by associates of the viewers as he responded to issues about what he would do to address mass shootings. The senator spoke in assist of assault weapons, like AR-15s, the notorious firearm that has been made use of in a lot of shootings, which include the types that took put at Sandy Hook Elementary University in 2012 and Stoneman Douglas Large School in 2018.

In aid of the weapon, Cruz cited the taking pictures at the To start with Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in 2017, the deadliest in the state’s background. Close by resident Stephen Willeford responded to the incident with his very own rifle and is credited with encouraging conclusion the incident which killed 26 men and women and an unborn kid.

“The weapon that Stephen made use of to end that was an AR-15,” Cruz mentioned.

The conversation about gun control in the U.S. was reignited in May when an 18-yr-aged person entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Texas, and opened fire with an AR-15, killing 21 pupils and personnel members, and himself. Cruz was between the Republicans to get in touch with for improved security at educational facilities in reaction to the incident, such as armed guards and much less entrances.

In reaction to yet another viewers member who mentioned “violence isn’t going to fix violence, Cruz included, “It basically is the only point that does.”

Late past month, President Joe Biden publicly reiterated his assistance of a complete ban on assault weapons in the U.S., subsequent the passage of a invoice in the U.S. Dwelling that would do just that. Biden also invoked his previous guidance of assault weapon bans, as he served in the Senate in 1994 when the past ban was handed. The ban ended in 2004 and was not renewed or changed.

“I am determined to ban assault weapons in this state,” Biden said. “Determined. I did it the moment, and I will do it again… It is really time to keep just about every elected official’s toes to the fireplace and inquire them, are you for banning assault weapons? Yes or no? Ask them. If the answer’s no, vote from them.”

Newsweek reached out to the White Dwelling for remark.