It’s not even a week into the new year and vulnerable Congressman Steve Knight is already misleading voters about his record. Knight told the Ventura County Star that “we must take steps to keep firearms out of the hands of … terrorists,” but Knight has voted no fewer than ten times to block a bill that would close a loophole allowing suspected terrorists on the FBI’s Terror Watchlist to purchase weapons.
Knight’s hollow rhetoric comes in response to the father of a victim of the horrific Isla Vista shooting endorsing common sense gun reforms. As a member of the California State Senate, Knight voted against legislation written in response to the tragedy. The legislation, which allows family members to petition for lethal firearms to be removed from a mentally ill relative, took effect last Friday despite Knight’s opposition.
“Vulnerable Congressman Knight is pandering to residents at home but turning his back on them in Washington,” said Barb Solish of the DCCC. “Knight’s rhetoric about gun safety rings hollow when compared to his long voting record against common sense measures like those that would keep guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists or prevent tragedies like Isla Vista.
Last month, Congressman Knight was the subject of a DCCC radio ad campaign highlighting his repeated opposition to keeping weapons out of the hands of the FBI’s Terrorist Watchlist suspects.