Rep. Charlie Rangel on Guns: ‘Some of the Southern Areas Have Cultures that We Have to Overcome’

(CNSNews.com) - Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), speaking on “MSNBC Live” on Jan. 16 said that “some of the southern areas have cultures that we have to overcome” when it comes to gun control.

Rangel was asked by anchor Thomas Roberts whether new gun control measures passed in New York State should serve as models for other states:

“If you’re proud of what New York has done, obviously there is not going to be any perfect policy or perfect law that everybody is going to agree on from both sides saying that this is key perfection but do you think that New York, and what has been done in this state, could be used as a role model for other states that would like to enact something of New York’s model?”

Rangel responded by saying: “Well I hope so. New York is a little different and more progressive in a lot of areas than some other states and some of the southern areas have cultures that we have to overcome.”

He added: “But we do have a model set of what Republicans and Democrats, Conservatives and Liberals have come together and put the party labels behind them and come forward with something that says ‘Hey, we may disagree, but one thing is clear that we have to do something' and that’s exactly what they have done.’”

Last week, New York State passed stricter gun control measures in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec. 14. The new law calls for an expanded assault weapons ban, and a new registration of already owned semi-automatic weapons.

The new law also calls for a limit of seven rounds on magazine clips and for mental health and law enforcement officials to be informed when it is believed that a patient is likely to be a danger to themselves or others.

The bill passed the New York State Senate by a vote of 43-18 and the Assembly by a vote of 104-43. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law on Jan 15.