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Katko Wants Federal Commission on Mass Shootings and Guns

Panel would be appointed by House and Senate leadership and president

Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., said he wants a commission on mass shootings and gun laws. ( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo).
Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., said he wants a commission on mass shootings and gun laws. ( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo).

Republican Rep. John Katko said he plans to introduce a bill to establish a presidential commission on mass shootings and gun laws.

Katko, who represents upstate New York’s 24th District, told the Syracuse Post-Standard that members would be appointed by Republican and Democratic leadership in both houses of Congress and by President Donald Trump.

“Everything should be on the table and we will see what they come up with,” Katko said.

Katko’s remarks come amid a new call to reexamine gun laws after the shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 students and teachers.

In an editorial meeting with the Post-Standard, Katko said he opposed arming teachers and said he spoke with teachers in central New York who were against the idea.

Watch: After Parkland, A Look at Previous Gun Control Efforts in Congress

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“I think we need to find a way there are school resource officers in every school nationwide and fund the grant money to provide the funding for that,” he said.

Katko also said there should be a ban on bump stocks.

“No question we should get rid of those,” he said. He also supported the “Fix NICS” bill that has bipartisan support.

Katko has been backed by the National Rifle Association in the past, having received the endorsement of the gun rights group in 2016. He also received $11,900 in campaign contributions, but said it did not factor into his decision-making.

“People contributing to me don’t dictate how I vote or what I do,” he said.

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