(NewsNation) — Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson says access to guns was one of the more troubling aspects in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump one day before the Republican National Convention kicks off in his city.
An innocent bystander and the suspected shooter, Thomas Crooks, were killed at Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Another two shooting victims are currently in critical condition at Allegheny General Hospital.
Trump reported he is “fine” after a bullet “pierced the upper part” of his right ear. President Joe Biden and lawmakers in both parties have condemned the attack.
Speaking to The Hill Sunday, Johnson condemned the events, adding now is an opportunity to crack down on gun violence and for Americans to come together.
“We have to work together to make sure that folks understand that there are political differences, yes, but that it does not escalate into things like violence,” Johnson said.
“Or it doesn’t escalate into things where people feel scared to go out and let their political views be known.”
While the assassination attempt has been largely seen as a unifying event for Republicans, Johnson says that it is the same for Democrats; specifically in their belief for greater gun control measures.
“We as Democrats have often talked about the need for individuals who should go through background checks before they get access to deadly weapons,” Johnson said.
“This presents an opportunity for that message to further resonate. Nobody in this country… should become victim to gun violence.”
Johnson rebuffed the assertion that Democrats had incited the, in his words, “horrible, heinous attack” on the former president.
Instead, suggesting everyone on either side should look at their choice of language before reiterating his belief in further gun control.
“Democrats have been working to make sure and would continue to fight to make sure or work to make sure that those folks who shouldn’t have that access don’t so they don’t perpetrate actions, like we saw against the former president the other day,” Johnson said.
