Sherrod Brown: Congress can't combat mass shootings due to McConnell and Trump being 'in bed with the gun lobby'

© UPI Photo

Ohio Sen. Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownSchiff sparks blowback with head on a 'pike' line Sunday shows - All eyes on Senate impeachment trial Senate Democrat: 'Fine' to hear from Hunter Biden MORE (D) on Wednesday said the inability to find a solution to mass shootings is due to President TrumpDonald John TrumpCNN's Don Lemon explains handling of segment after Trump criticism NPR reporter after Pompeo clash: Journalists don't interview government officials to score 'political points' Lawyer says Parnas can't attend Senate trial due to ankle bracelet MORE and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump allies throw jabs at Bolton over book's claims GOP confident of win on witnesses Collins Senate bid threatens to spark GOP rift in Georgia MORE (R-Ky.) being "in bed with the gun lobby."

Asked during a press conference if both parties take blame for not being able to find a solution, Brown shot back, "No."

"Republicans for years now have dug in and done the bidding of the NRA. The National Rifle Association, the gun lobby, gives millions of dollars to Republican candidates and spends millions and millions against Democrats like me that have stood up to the NRA," Brown said while speaking alongside Dayton, Ohio, Mayor Nan Whaley (D).

"We can’t get anything done in the Senate because Mitch McConnell and the president of the United States are in bed with the gun lobby," he added.


Brown made the comments after he met with President Trump during his visit to Dayton to meet with first responders and survivors of a mass shooting in the city that left nine people dead.

The incident occurred the same weekend a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, left at least 23 people dead. 

Brown acknowledged that there are a lot of things Congress can do to combat mass shootings but emphasized that guns are a "big, big part."

"Certainly, mental health services matter, but the same people that say, 'It’s mental health. It’s not too many guns on the street' are the same people that try to cut Medicaid and the same people that try to repeal the Affordable Care Act," Brown argued. "Be honest about this. Guns is a big, big part of this."

Brown stated during the press conference that he had told Trump to tell McConnell to bring the Senate back into session for a vote on gun legislation. 

That same day, more than 200 Democratic House lawmakers sent a letter to McConnell urging a vote on House-passed legislation aimed at strengthening background checks for gun purchases.

Trump indicated that he's “all in favor” of background checks. But he added that he didn't believe there would be a strong movement to enforce legislation banning high-powered weapons such as the one used in the attack in Dayton.

Trump is meeting with first responders and shooting survivors in Dayton and El Paso on Wednesday.