On mass shootings, Idaho’s members of Congress offer few recent specifics

Idaho’s delegation to Washington, D.C., is saying little at the moment about any steps Congress could take to reduce mass violence like the Oct. 1 shooting in Las Vegas.

A week after a gunman shot hundreds of people, killing dozens, at a Las Vegas Strip music festival, the national response looks very similar to what followed previous mass shootings. Politicians and TV personalities have resumed their intractable positions on gun control — though the National Rifle Association appears to have opened the door to one new regulation. It appears little else is being seriously discussed or considered in terms of how to end America’s string of shootings. Meanwhile, investigators continue to try to determine what led to last week’s violence, and survivors like Boise State student Ryenne Clancy are grappling with what they lived through.

The Statesman emailed the following questions on Oct. 4 to all four members of Idaho’s delegation. Our goal: To move beyond the familiar gridlock that paralyzes America after every shooting, and start an open-ended conversation about both the role of Congress and any measures our politicians should take to prevent future mass killings.

▪  Does Congress have a role to play in preventing future mass shootings? Why or why not?

▪  What direct, concrete actions will you take this month to help find a solution for America’s problem with mass shootings?

▪  The White House, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other politicians, and some media outlets have said it is too soon to talk about gun policy in response to the Las Vegas mass shooting. Do you agree? If so, when is the appropriate time and who should initiate and lead that conversation?

These were their responses:

Sen. Mike Crapo: “I strongly support the Second Amendment to our Constitution and will not support legislation that does not pass constitutional review. Congress does have an appropriate role in responding to the causes of violence in America. The tragedy in Las Vegas remains under active investigation. I expect that the outcome of that investigation will be helpful to Congress in determining the appropriate congressional response.”

Sen. Jim Risch: “I have a consistent policy of not debating specific policy changes in the immediate wake of horrific, deplorable events like this. I have always supported the Second Amendment, and look forward to debates on any future proposals that might be introduced in Congress.”

1st District Rep. Raúl Labrador: No response.

2nd District Rep. Mike Simpson: No response.

Three of the four had posted reactions to social media earlier in the week about the Las Vegas shooting. Crapo and Labrador posted messages on Twitter:

Crapo and Labrador also put these same responses on their respective Facebook pages.

Simpson, too, posted to Facebook:

This story was originally published October 9, 2017 at 3:28 PM with the headline "On mass shootings, Idaho’s members of Congress offer few recent specifics."