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Tim Nelson
New Brighton

Rep. Paulsen backs bump stock ban, gun violence research

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Erik Paulsen
Official Congressional portrait for Rep. Erik Paulsen is seeking re-election in 2016.
Photo provided by the U.S. Government.

Minnesota Republican U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen on Thursday offered a list of ideas he'd support to prevent more gun violence like the shootings that killed 17 people at a Florida high school last week.

Asked about the incident, he said he would support a ban on so-called bump stocks, that can dramatically increase the rates of fire of semiautomatic guns. He also said he'd like to see the FBI address its failings in the Florida case and strengthening background checks.

"One thing we should do is lift the ban on federal research for gun violence because I think we can make smart, educated decisions as policy makers of where we need to go in this debate, if we have the facts," Paulsen told reporters during a visit to Cardiovascular Solutions, a vascular device company in New Brighton. "And by lifting the ban on research, which has been around for about 20 years, we can actually make smarter decisions."

He also said he'd support so-called gun violence restraining orders that could allow a court to block someone's access to firearms. Paulsen said he expects Republicans to start conversations about how to address incidents like the Florida shooting when Congress reconvenes next week.