© 2024
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
An update has been released for the Android version of the WAMC App that addresses performance issues. Please check the Google Play Store to download and update to the latest version.

Rep. Owens weighs in on debt, guns

Bill Owens

WAMC News caught up with New York Congressman Bill Owens, a Democrat representing the 21st district, on Monday. He discussed the debt and the national discussion on weapons.

“I think we’re going to have another horrendous fight that will bring us into late February early March where there is a fight about cuts,” Owens said.

With state lawmakers moving toward a possible deal to strengthen limits on assault weapons in New York, Owens said that hypothetically, he would have difficulty voting for a similar bill in the House of Representatives.

“That would be something which I think is probably not likely to make it to the floor of the House given the makeup of the current leadership of the House. But I will also tell you that given the number of folks  who I know in my district who are solid citizens, I would have a great deal of difficulty voting for a deal like that."

“I think even the NRA realized that one of the significant issues is that people who have health issues get their hands on guns, whether legally or illegally, and that is something I think we have to very seriously look at—how to implement that in a pragmatic way that really catches issues like mental health questions as part of the process,” he added.

Related Content