Hartford, CT – Tonight, Representative Sampson voiced his concern on legislation to ban bump stocks on the basis that bump stocks are as dangerous as knitting needles or sugary drinks.  Representative Sampson said that he would argue that knitting needles “had been used in more crimes that bump stocks.”

Bump stocks were used in the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history. And while we don’t have the statistics on knitting needles, we’re willing to bet that it doesn’t come close.

Representative Sampson also went on to say that the laws passed after Sandy Hook wouldn’t have prevented any of the mass shootings that have occurred since, despite the fact that assault weapons are used in a majority of mass shootings.

“Representative Sampson’s rant on the house floor tonight is just further proof that Republicans will make any excuse to cater the NRA and the CCDL,” said Connecticut Democratic Party Communications Director Christina Polizzi. “Though this used to be the extreme view of the Republican Party, we have not heard any different ideology from the candidates seeking to become Governor. These Republicans are dangerously out of step with the rest of Connecticut, and Representative Sampson believes that his party should reward his views with higher office as he runs for State Senate. But this election must be different, and we believe that the tens of thousands of Connecticut residents that joined the March for Our Lives understand that their opportunity to make their voice heard is this November when they cast their ballots for candidates up and down the ballot. And let’s be clear, there is no clearer choice this fall between the two parties and where they stand on keeping our communities safe.”