GOP Rep. Turner now backs gun curbs

WASHINGTON — In the wake of the mass shooting that killed nine in Dayton on Sunday, U.S. Rep. Mike Turner said Tuesday that he will back legislation that bars the sale of military-style weapons to civilians.

Turner, in a statement, said he also will support a limit on magazines and “red-flag” legislation to take guns away from those police deem dangerous to the community.

“I strongly support the Second Amendment, but we must prevent mentally unstable people from terrorizing our communities with military-style weapons,” the Dayton Republican said.

Turner, who has regularly received a 93% rating from the National Rifle Association, voted earlier this year against two House measures aimed at strengthening the federal background check system to buy a gun, and he has generally backed gun-rights measures during his nine terms in the House.

Saturday’s mass shooting, which killed nine in the Oregon District of Dayton, hit home. Turner’s daughter was across the street when the attack occurred. She was not injured, but the gunman managed to fire off 41 shots in less than 30 seconds before police killed him.

The former Dayton mayor also called for “red flag” laws, saying that “too often after mass shootings, we hear there were early warning signs that were ignored.”

Turner’s statement came on the same day Gov. Mike Dewine released a list of measures aimed at reducing gun violence in Ohio, including red-flag laws.

Turner said he knows not every shooting would be prevented by the measures he now supports, “but I do believe these steps are essential.”

“This tragedy must become a catalyst for a broader national conversation about what we can do to stop these mass shootings,” he said. He added that he plans to discuss the measures with President Donald Trump during Trump’s visit to Dayton on Wednesday.