“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 in a lengthy statement released Tuesday.
Turner, who has regularly received a 93 percent rating from the National Rifle Association, voted against two House measures aimed at strengthening the background check system to buy a gun earlier this year, and 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 streets when the shootings occurred. She was not injured, but the gunman managed to fire off 41 shots in less than 30 seconds.
“The carnage these military style weapons are able to produce when available to the wrong people is intolerable,” Turner said.
Turner also called for red flag laws saying “too often after mass shootings, we hear there were early warning signs that were ignored.”
High school classmates of the Dayton shooter said he compiled a “hit list” during his time at Bellbrook High School.
Turner’s statement came on the same day that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine released a list of measures aimed at fighting gun violence in Ohio, including support for red flag laws.
In his statement, Turner said he knew not every shooting could 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, saying he will discuss the measures with President Trump during his visit to Dayton Wednesday.
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