The latest candidate aiming for a U.S. Senate seat commended outgoing incumbent Sen. Roy Blunt for his willingness to join Democrats in supporting Red Flag gun laws.
“I applaud him for that,” said John Wood, a Republican who is campaigning for Blunt’s seat as an Independent. “That's the kind of thing that we need more of in Washington.”
Red Flag gun laws prohibit people who have been deemed a threat to themselves or others from acquiring or carrying guns.
“Like Senator Blunt, I believe in the right to bear arms,” Wood said. “I believe in the Second Amendment and that people should be able to have firearms to protect their family and for sporting purposes but a reasonable bipartisan effort to take guns out of the hands of the most dangerous people is what we need and it’s very rare these days to see that kind of bipartisan cooperation.”
Wood, a former attorney for the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, pro-Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol, announced his decision to run for office this week.
Blunt is among the 10 Republicans last week who joined Democrats on gun safety legislation that includes mental health resources, improving school safety and support for students, as well as prohibiting dangerous criminals and those who are adjudicated as mentally ill from acquiring weapons, according to media reports.
“Tragically, this really only happened here because of another mass shooting,” Wood told the St. Louis Record. “I want to see bipartisan cooperation become more of the norm rather than the exception in Washington. When I'm in the Senate, it will be possible for me to stay true to my conservative principles, while being able to talk to the other side and find common ground. You can compromise on some things in order to get things done without abandoning your principles.”
Other Republican senators who broke ranks like Blunt in supporting the planned legislation include John Cornyn of Texas, Thom Tillis and Richard Burr of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Rob Portman of Ohio, Mitt Romney of Utah and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.
“I'm sure Senator Blunt didn't get one hundred percent of what he wanted, but nobody does and that's part of getting things done in Washington is sitting down with the other side and forming coalitions,” Wood added. “I want to be part of that in Washington. I don't want to go to Washington and burn things down. It seems like both parties these days want to just tear down our institution.”
Wood previously worked as a U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Missouri. He was appointed to the post by fPresident George W. Bush.