August 07, 2019 01:57 PM UTC

Cory Gardner Dances Around Gun Violence Question

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• by: Colorado Pols

Colorado Republican Sen. Cory Gardner is rarely at a loss for words on any political or policy subject. It is equally rare, however, that Gardner’s words are used to form meaningful sentences on a given topic. Gardner’s “position” on gun violence is no exception.

As we noted briefly on Tuesday, Gardner made it clear at an event in Aspen this week that he does not support any sort of legislation that could be construed as gun control. Share Blue today picks up on reporting from the Aspen Times from a Monday event in which Gardner said some stuff about the subject on everyone’s mind:

Gardner told an Aspen audience Monday there is no simple solution to the mass shootings that have riddled the country — such as the two Sunday resulting in 31 deaths — including gun control.

“It’s absolutely devastating, what we continue to see,” Gardner said. “So how do we get into this and how do we end and stop it, while protecting other people’s rights, too?”

The Yuma Republican, citing constitutional rights, said he has no desire to implement gun-control measures to curb the violence.

“I don’t support gun control,” he said [Pols emphasis], noting he has worked on issues such as school violence and bullying and is backing the proposed “Eagles Act,” which would provide more resources to the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center.

This is maddeningly-typical nonsense from Gardner, whose answer on any important subject is basically just an extended rhetorical question. Gardner starts by asking, “how do we stop [gun violence]” as though it is a question he is actually considering; instead of attempting to answer his own query, Gardner shifts to talking about things he does not support.

Try to imagine what it must be like to have dinner with Gardner:

SERVER: Can I start you off with something to drink?

GARDNER: I don’t eat bacon.

As the Aspen Times notes, Gardner also doesn’t want to talk about President Trump:

President Donald Trump was referred to occasionally during Gardner’s appearance, including from one audience member who asked, “What are you doing to stand up to the leader of your party that spews racism and despite his denials, supports white nationalism?”

Gardner, a first-term senator up for re-election in 2020, would not directly answer the question but again condemned racism and bigotry. [Pols emphasis]

“White supremacy has no room in this country,” he said as part of his response.

“What are you doing about your president?” the person followed up.

“I am going to continue to condemn the white supremacy at every chance and every opportunity I get,” he responded.

Neat!

Gardner’s loyalties lie not with his constituents but with President Trump — whom he has enthusiastically endorsed for re-election — and with the National Rifle Association (NRA).

As America transforms into a killing field, here are the top recipients of campaign donations from the @NRA:

Sen. Burr: $6.9M
Sen. Blunt: $4.5M
Sen. Tillis: $4.4M
Sen. Gardner: $3.8M
Sen. Rubio: $3.3M
Sen. Ernst: $3.1M
Sen. Portman: $3M
Sen. Young: $2.8M
Sen. Cassidy: $2.8M

— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) August 4, 2019

Gardner is up for re-election in 2020, as is Sen. Thom Tillis (North Carolina) and Sen. Joni Ernst (Iowa). None of this is a coincidence.