President Joe Biden on Thursday called for new executive actions on gun control and called it an “embarrassment” that the United States is one of the countries most plagued countries with mass shootings. The local party chairs provided opposing views on his actions, while Rep. Henry Cuellar falls somewhere between them.

“I strongly disagree with President Biden’s actions on gun-control,” Webb County Republican Party Chair Tyler Kraus said. “He is acting as if he is a dictator. President Biden is also making a mockery of our Constitution.

“He said that the Second Amendment is not absolute in its meaning. He believes it is his job to interpret the Constitution the way he sees fit. This is not the case, and the fact that he doesn’t seem to know that is dangerous for our country. These executive orders he is putting in place are sending our country down the slippery slope of gun control.”

Webb County Democratic Party Chair Sylvia Bruni believes the executive actions are good for the country and will help limit gun violence.

“I welcome his recent executive actions and comments on guns, especially his reminder that, yes, prayers are definitely warranted when such senseless deadly tragedies occur, but it is high time for definitive, reasonable action,” Bruni said. “His proposal is definitely that: definitive, reasonable, fair. He is seeking regulations on ghost guns, homemade guns, on closing background check loopholes, on eliminating legal exemptions for gun manufacturers, seeking to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, putting a stop to firearm trafficking. None of these are intended to infringe on our Second Amendment rights.”

Rep. Henry Cuellar took a more neutral stance but also voiced concern for the gun violence that has plagued the country.

“While I support the Second Amendment and an American’s right to bear arms, there’s no denying that gun violence destroys countless lives and families each year,” Cuellar said. “More than 41,000 Americans died from gun violence last year — this is unacceptable. If we want to save lives, Congress must work to ensure that dangerous people cannot access firearms.”

Cuellar said the leadership shown by President Biden confronts the horrific tragedies the nation has seen created by gun violence.

“To protect Americans, it’s critical that the president take immediate and strong actions. This includes stopping the spread of homemade firearms that lack traceable serial numbers, otherwise known as ghost guns,” Cuellar said. “President Biden is well within his right to take executive actions on gun violence, and in no way does this infringe on the Second Amendment.”

Bruni said she does not believe in the full banning of all weapons but rather only those known to cause mass murders.

“It actually requires a measure of both, our government leaders taking responsibility for enacting responsible gun control legislation, which would include community education programs, and perhaps even more important each and every one of us, regardless of political affiliation, taking responsibility for the enormous harm done to our country by the abuse of guns and asking our legislators to do the right thing,” Bruni said.

Kraus said no more gun bans are needed because there are already many bans on guns that make it difficult for just anybody to get a high-caliber weapon.

“Bump-stocks were banned after the Las Vegas shooting a few years ago,” Kraus said. “Also, many explosives are illegal for citizens to be in possession of. We have a whole department of our government called the ATF that is responsible for upholding these laws. We don’t need any more gun laws.”

Kraus said a change of culture would have more impact than more bans. He believes mental health should become a priority.

One point all three agree on is that guns, for the most part and under reasonable use, are good for the people of the country.

Kraus said guns are an essential method for his family to stay protected against any threat that may come to their home.

“Guns are essential for personal protection,” Kraus said. “I have a family and I would not feel safe if I did not own a gun so that I may protect my family against criminals. I believe most Americans feel this way. The Second Amendment was put in place by our Founding Fathers so that the American people may protect themselves against criminals and a tyrannical government.”

Bruni shares this sentiment as she believes guns are good for people defending themselves during times of crisis.

“I believe that they are good for personal protection, especially if one is trained in the proper and safe use of the firearm,” Bruni said. “They’re certainly good for the defense of our country during times of war and conflict. They are good when used for hunting and other reasonable sports activities.”

They also agree Laredo does not seem to have a major gun problem like in other parts of the country. Both said Laredo is relatively safe.

“We have an issue with guns being shipped into Mexico, I know that much,” Kraus said. “However, our community is safe compared to most communities due to the large law enforcement presence in our community as compared to other communities, which is great. We love our law enforcement officers. Furthermore, many Laredoans own guns, and they know how to use them. This fact keeps criminals from committing so many crimes. They are afraid of retaliation from law-abiding gun owners in Webb County and Laredo.”

Bruni said Laredo is a safe city compared to others that have been plagued by gun violence.

“I am very grateful that our community continues to be one of the safest in the nation, so much of this due to the efforts of a strong and able law enforcement contingent of officers,” Bruni said. “This issue is not one that any of us should lay at the feet of our committed and dedicated law enforcement officers. They are doing their job. It is Congress who needs to step up here.”

Despite the city’s safety, Bruni said gun violence can still be a problem for the people of the area since there is always the possibility of external threats.

“I remember our sister city El Paso several years ago also being able to claim the same, with much pride in its safe community, until that day when a white supremacist traveled all the way from Dallas to that border town to slaughter Hispanics,” Bruni said. “I remember feeling, for the first time in my life shortly after that tragic day, attending church service designed specifically for Spanish-speaking parishioners, feeling vulnerable and unsafe wondering how easy it might have been for that murderer to have chosen Laredo instead of El Paso, our population also predominantly Hispanic.”

Cuellar said whatever the cause, something has to be done when it comes to gun reform.

“I believe that there needs to be both a cultural change as well as government solutions in addressing gun violence,” Cuellar said. “In fact, the House recently passed H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446 — bipartisan and commonsense background check legislation supported by more than 90% of Americans. In Congress, we need to continue passing preventive laws that will save lives and enhance public safety and security.

“As a community, we must work together to establish a culture around gun safety. This includes reducing firearm access to youth and individuals who are at risk of harming themselves, engaging responsible gun dealers and owners in solutions, encouraging training for owners and requiring safe and secure gun storage.”

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