Everytown for Gun Safety continues gun-control push on Rubio, Scott

WASHINGTON

President Donald Trump has ended gun control talks amid an impeachment inquiry from Democrats, but one prominent group is continuing a pressure campaign against Florida Republican Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, even though neither of them are on the ballot in 2020.

Everytown for Gun Safety, a pro-gun-control group backed by billionaire and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, announced Monday that it plans to spend $200,000 on digital advertising against Republican senators in 10 states, including Florida. The push also includes a Moms Demand Action event in Orlando on Wednesday, where Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Winter Park, and survivors of guns violence will urge Rubio and Scott to pass gun control bills in the U.S. Senate that have passed the Democratic-controlled House.

“The Senate’s delay on gun safety has a body count, and the gun safety movement will not stand silent while lawmakers try to run out the clock,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Everytown is committed to amplifying the voices of the growing majority of Americans who are demanding background check and red flag laws — and who will hold accountable those lawmakers who defy the people’s will.”

But Republican lawmakers have deferred any action on guns to the president, who indicated this week that talks are off the table while House Democrats pursue an impeachment inquiry.

The recent push on gun control came after August mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.