Shelby backs more school security, tighter background checks in gun debate

Feb. 22--Three members of Congress listened on, waiting to speak. But first Montgomery Rabbi Scott Kramer led the crowd in a prayer. He prayed to God for forgiveness, saying we failed to learn the lessons of earlier tragedies and protect the 17 victims of the Florida school shooting. He spoke each of the victims' names.

Sen. Richard Shelby, who has served in Congress for 40 years, didn't mention the shooting or gun control in his speech. But when asked about it after the event he talked about the need for changes, including more security personnel in schools.

"I do believe that we can do more," said Shelby, R-Ala. "We've got to deal with the mental health issue ... people (who) can get guns. And I think we can tighten up on background checks. And we're probably going to have to figure out with the schools (how) to have somebody trained for security at these schools because we've got 300-something million people, and we've got a lot of great people. But we also have some bad folks."

Rep. Martha Roby, R-Ala., who was also at the event, praised President Trump's "listening session" Wednesday with survivors and their families. But she cautioned against legislative action.

"I'm a strong proponent for our Second Amendment rights, and I would just say that whenever there's a tragedy -- and this certainly was a terrific tragedy -- the immediate reaction is 'let's go pass a law,'" Roby said. "I would just suggest to you that you can't legislate against evil. We need to take a good, hard look at the laws we already have on the books, make sure they're being properly enforced."

Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., who was also at the event, said she wants bipartisan action to strengthen background checks.

"I believe the president's recent support for measures addressing gun violence is proof of the growing public demand for action among both Republicans and Democrats," Sewell said. "I have always been a strong proponent of the Second Amendment, but Congress can no longer settle for symbolic gestures when gun violence kills more Americans every day."

The three lawmakers were there to talk about the Air Force's decision to base its F-35 jet program in Montgomery, a decision that secures about 1,500 local jobs and triggers billions in investment and years of construction. They were also there to accept applause for their roles in that process, often working across party lines to make it happen.

Shelby described Kramer's opening prayer as "lengthy and substantive."

An emotional Kramer said the prayer "came from the heart" after seeing the passion of teenage shooting survivors who are now advocating for changes to gun laws.

"It's not something we can continue to ignore," he said.

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