Milwaukee mayor highlights gun violence prevention in wake of Trump rally shooting

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson (D) on Sunday pointed to the need for gun violence prevention measures while reacting to the assassination attempt against former President Trump, which injured him and killed a spectator.

Johnson, speaking on NewsNation's "The Hill Sunday," spoke on the importance of not letting political differences escalate into violence and argued the incident will unite Americans, including Democrats.

"I think this helps Democrats in this own messaging as well, right? Wait, listen, in this country, we as Democrats have often talked about the need for individuals who should go through background checks before they get access to deadly weapons, right?" Johnson said Sunday.

"This presents an opportunity for that message to further resonate with. Nobody in this country, whether you're a kindergartener at school, whether you're a churchgoer, whether you're a candidate for president in the United States, should befall, become victim to gun violence. We don't want to see that," he continued.

A shooter opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pa., on Saturday evening, wounding the former president, who said a bullet pierced his ear. One spectator was killed, and two other attendees were critically injured, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

The shooting suspect, later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa., was shot to death by authorities on the scene.

Authorities have yet to release any information regarding a motive.

Investigators said the weapons Crooks used was believed to have been purchased by his father at least six months ago, the Associated Press reported. Officials are still working to understand when and how Crooks obtained the gun, the news wire added.

Johnson said he believes the incident shows it is time for Americans to "come together," regardless of political parties.

"Whether you're Democrats, whether you're Republicans, to look at the rhetoric and the words that we specifically use, right?" Johnson said. "So, for me, and I think for Democrats who are watching this news program and Democrats across the country, we want to make sure that this violence, this sort of violence, whether its guns at a rally, guns at a grocery store, guns at a school."

NewsNation anchor Leland Vittert interjected, asking if it is "too early" to be discussing guns.

"I mean, really, is it too early to talk about guns after a president was --" Johnson responded, to which Vittert noted, "I'm wondering is it the guns that's the issue, or is the people who are using guns and why they are inspired to?"

"Both. Well, precisely, precisely, right? That's what I said. We should be talking about the background checks for individuals who should not have --" Johnson said.

He later clarified he does not "necessarily" see the Democratic response turn into a discussion about guns.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.