Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine says that she would support legislation to close what she calls “loopholes in the background check system” following two deadly mass shootings this weekend in Texas and Ohio.
At an event in Sidney, Collins largely stuck to her past positions on gun control legislation.
“But we certainly ought to do common-sense gun reforms. And I think closing the loopholes in the background check system is a common-sense reform,” she says.
Collins also says she supports a version of “red flag” gun control legislation, designed to keep guns from the hands of people who are considered a danger to themselves or others.
“I think that that does makes sense. But you do have to have robust due process procedures,” she says.
The U.S. House has already passed a universal background check bill that would apply to most person-to-person transfers. The Senate has yet to take action on the measure.
President Donald Trump also expressed some openness to legislation on Monday, tweeting that lawmakers should perhaps marry background check legislation to immigration reform. Collins says that she supports both efforts but doesn’t see them as connected.
