U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner was asked about background checks for gun purchases on a national news program Sunday morning and did not deny that he has put a hold on a bill designed to strengthen accountability of federal agencies that don’t properly document applicants’ criminal histories.
The Colorado Republican, interviewed on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” said he has concerns about the measure that has broad bipartisan support in the Senate over what he describes as “due process issues.”
“This isn’t a issue of whether you like this or not,” he said. “It’s a question of constitutional rights and protecting the people of this country, protecting them from harm …”
“So, you are blocking the bill for now?” moderator Margaret Brennan interjected.
Gardner continued, “… and, and making sure we’re protecting people from harm and making sure that we get this right, and if there’s a constitutional issue at stake then that should be worked out.”
Gardner’s office didn’t immediately respond to a question from The Denver Post seeking to clarify his position.
The bill, called “Fix NICS,” was introduced by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., after the November shooting in a Texas church that claimed the lives of more than two dozen worshippers.
Gardner, who has been been the subject of scrutiny over his support from the National Rifle Association, has drawn attention for other gun-policy comments. In the wake of last month’s Parkland, Fla., high school shooting that killed 17, he urged policymakers to focus on mental health care.
His comments Sunday were part of a larger interview in which Gardner, who leads a Senate subcommittee on East Asia matters, was interviewed about last week’s announcement that President Donald Trump will meet with North Korean President Kim Jong-Un for talks about that country’s nuclear program.
Gardner has long been vocal about the importance of sanctions against the rogue nuclear power and on Sunday cautioned that much work still needs to done ahead of any U.S.-North Korean summit.
“What we have to hear more of is how we are going to get to those concrete, verifiable steps toward nuclearization before this meeting occurs,” he said.
