Reacting To Las Vegas Shooting, Illinois Politicians Follow Party Lines

Illinois politicians continue reacting to Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas. Their responses are often falling along party lines.

As happens with just about every mass shooting — and the more routine violence that plagues parts of cities like Chicago — Democrats say it shows the need for tighter gun laws.

“Can we not at least appeal to those who honor the Second Amendment to join us in drawing a reasonable line, so that combat and military-style weapons that could lead to such carnage are not considered to be normal or acceptable?" asks Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

But Republicans prefer to set aside those conversations. That’s what Gov. Bruce Rauner did when asked whether he would support a so-called assault weapons ban.

“Today I’m not going to get into specific policies," Rauner says. "I think all of us should take a moment to remember and to keep the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers.”

Rauner did say mental illness is a challenge in our society, and hopes to “talk further” about what can be done to keep people safe.