In the wake of recent mass shootings, resulting in fatalities and many severe injuries, Republican congressional candidate Ted Edwards urged stronger gun safety laws to protect children and communities from the surge in mass shootings. The candidate said there have been 300 mass shootings already this year with a dozen already this month alone and was left with one question.
“When do we say enough?” said Edwards, a Central Florida business leader. “Every day we turn on the news and see yet another tragedy – a preventable tragedy – yet we still make excuses for inaction.”
Edwards calls himself a “common-sense conservative focused on solving our problems. There are eight Republicans running in the primary for Florida’s 7th District. They are hoping to flip the district, which is currently held by Democrat Representative Stephanie Murphy, who is retiring. Edwards says he is the only Republican candidate in the race calling for gun safety reform.
“I support the bipartisan legislation recently passed in Congress but it’s still not enough,” Edwards added. “I am the only candidate running for the 7th Congressional District willing to say what should be said and I call on my fellow Republicans to join me in pushing for sensible gun safety measures that will keep our communities safe while preserving Second Amendment rights. Republicans in Florida were able to balance gun safety with our constitutional rights, proving we can do both.”
As an example of the contrast between Edwards’ position on gun safety reform and those of his opponents, another Republican in that congressional race, Anthony Sabatini, fires a gun in his TV campaign ad currently airing. The move by Edwards definitely breaks with his Republican Party on the issue of guns, as he calculates the electoral odds Central Florida voters will prefer his position.
The stance should at least make Edwards stand out in the crowded Republican primary.
