Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., had some strange advice to those who may be faced with an active shooter situation: "Get small."
Following the country's largest mass shooting in modern history, Thune was faced with questions on gun control measures, and whether or not Republicans will take action.
"It sounds like [the shooter] used conversion kits and other things, you know, to make the weapons more lethal," Thune reportedly told MSNBC's Hallie Jackson. "We’ll look at the facts when we get them all in here. I think a lot of us want to do everything we can to prevent tragedies like that from happening again."
It's been confirmed that shooter Stephen Paddock was in possession of two bump-stocks, which enhance a semi-automatic gun to make it behave more akin to a full automatic — though despite possessing bump-stocks, it is still unclear if the devices were actually used during Paddock's attack. Bump-stocks are legal to possess.
In his interview, Thune wouldn't directly address efforts to increase gun control. "It's an open society and it’s hard to prevent anything," he said.
Thune to @HallieJackson:"I think people are going to have to take steps in their own lives to take precautions..As somebody said, get small" pic.twitter.com/KtP2BXJ6fM
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) October 3, 2017
He instead talked about how potential victims should act if faced with a similar situation. "I think people are going to have to take steps in their own lives to take precautions," he said. "To protect themselves. And in situations like that, you know, try to stay safe. As somebody said — get small."
Not-so ironically, Thune is quite friendly with the National Rifle Association and has raked in at least $852,000 from the organization in donations.
Thune also voted "no" on a bill to ban high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets, and voted "yes" on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains. Interestingly, in 1999, Thune voted "no" on a bill to decrease gun waiting periods from three days to one. This seems an exception, however, as Thune's voting record shows he is generally interested in making guns more accessible. Indeed, the NRA gave him an "A+" rating in 2012, indicating friendliness to the gun lobby's interest.
But it's not as if Thune has failed to act on issues regarding homeland security. On his website, Thune makes it clear that he is more than willing to stand up to terrorism — so long as it stems from an international organization.
"The attacks of September 11, 2001, forced us to change the way we think about national security and how we protect our country here at home. Unfortunately, there have been numerous reminders in the United States and abroad that the threat of another terrorist attack is still very real," the website reads.
He also pledges to "strive to make sure our armed forces and law enforcement officials are provided with the tools they need," but only when fighting the war on terror.
"As long as there are forces in this world who oppose the democratic ideals on which our country was founded, we must remain vigilant as a nation in striving to preserve liberty and stand up to aggression," the website reads. Apparently those principles don't apply to those who fall victim to random, senseless acts of gun violence at the hands of someone who doesn't fit Thune's vision of a "terrorist."
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