Although the measure passed mostly along party lines, two Republicans and five Democrats broke with their parties on the vote, according to the official count. Assault weapons have been used in numerous mass shootings, including the killings this year in Uvalde and Buffalo. Parkland, Fla. in 2018. Las Vegas in 2017. and Newton Conn. in 2012. A Senate vote on the assault weapons ban is not yet scheduled, though the measure is not expected to pass the chamber. At least 10 Republican senators would have to join all 50 Democrats to overcome a filibuster. Here’s what we know about why the seven members of the House broke ranks during the vote. Assault weapons ban: ‘Americans deserve to be safe’: House passes assault weapons ban that has little chance in Senate
Republicans vote for the bill
Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Chris Jacobs of New York voted for the ban along with 215 of their Democratic colleagues. Jacobs, whose western New York district includes suburban Buffalo, announced in June that he would not seek re-election as he faced backlash over his support for gun control measures. He said in a prepared statement that while he “strongly” supports the Second Amendment, he does not support “easy access to high-powered semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines that have repeatedly led to mass shootings.” Uvalde’s shooting prompted him to support an assault weapons ban, he said. “We have a duty to ensure the safety of all Americans,” Jacobs said. “These guns do not belong in our communities. While this bill is not perfect, I believe it will save innocent lives.” USA TODAY also sought comment from Fitzpatrick’s office.
Democrats vote against the bill
The five Democrats who voted “no” on the bill along with 208 Republicans were Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Ron Kind of Wisconsin and Kurt Schrader of Oregon. The story continues James Rivera, a spokesman for Gonzalez, told USA TODAY that while Gonzalez supports other gun control measures, banning assault weapons doesn’t solve the problem. “There are already tens of millions of assault rifles in circulation across America, many of them used by responsible gun owners for hunting in South Texas,” Rivera said. “And banning some of these models will not reduce the overall risks. Our focus should be on keeping guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves or others.” Kind said in a prepared statement that while he also supports some gun control measures, the bill was “rushed through the House” without giving him any opportunity to study it or consult with Wisconsin law enforcement groups and his constituents. He also expressed concern about the current law’s definition of assault weapons, fearing that too broad a definition could lead to a “suppression” of other weapons. USA TODAY has reached out to the other three congressmen’s offices for comment. Contributed by Katherine Swartz, Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 7 House members break with their party on assault weapons ban
