Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton touted what she called a “common sense” gun control agenda in Port Washington on Monday.
In a panel discussion at Landmark on Main Street with U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), Clinton advocated comprehensive background checks, closing loopholes, cracking down on illegal gun traffickers, holding gun dealers and manufacturers accountable and keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and stalkers.
“For me this issue has been a high priority for many years in part because I have spent too many hours meeting with and listening to families who have lost a loved one to gun violence,” Clinton said.
The former secretary of state and New York senator appeared with Israel and five women whose family members were killed by guns.
Among them were Sandy Phillips, whose daughter died in the 2012 Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting; Erica Lafferty, whose mother was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.; and Natasha Christopher, who lost her son in Brooklyn.
Clinton criticized her primary opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, for being a National Rifle Association ally and for his 2005 Senate vote to protect gun manufacturers from prosecution in gun-related crimes.
Sanders’ reasons for representing a gun-friendly state hold little weight, she said.
“Here’s what I want you to know: most of the guns that are used in crimes and violence and killings in New York come from out of state, and the state that has the highest per capita number of those guns that end up committing crimes in New York come from Vermont,” Clinton said.
As senator, Clinton said, she co-sponsored and voted for legislation to close the gun show loophole by requiring criminal background checks on all transactions taking place at events that sell firearms.
She said she also voted against what she called the dangerous immunity protections Congress provided gun dealers and manufacturers that prevent victims of gun violence from holding negligent manufacturers and dealers accountable.
She also co-sponsored and voted for legislation to extend and reinstate the assault weapons ban.
Clinton said the gun lobby, which she said is the most powerful lobby in Washington, stands in the way of reform.
“Let’s figure out what we’re going to do to save lives,” Clinton said.
Clinton’s Long Island appearance followed stops in New York City on Sunday and last week leading up to New York’s April 19 primary election.
She also stopped in Buffalo last Thursday, where Sanders campaigned on Monday. Israel and Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, stumped for her at an event in Elmont last week.
Clinton has a strong lead over Sanders in the state, with 54 percent of likely Democratic primary voters choosing her to Sanders’ 42 percent in a Quinnipiac University poll released March 31.
The candidates are set to debate at the Brooklyn Navy Yard at 9 p.m. on Thursday.
Port Washington resident Julia Banks said she stood in line for several hours in front of Port Washington’s Landmark Theater.
While she wasn’t able to make it inside for the full-capacity event, she said, she was happy she showed up.
“It was worth a try,” Banks said. “I wanted to come out and show my support. I like what Hillary stands for and gun control is an issue that needs more focus.”
