Enzi On Guns And Security Post Tucson

A visit to Casper and an address before a Lions Club Luncheon had no additional security for U.S. Senator Mike Enzi this week.

The senior senator says he's making absolutely no changes to the way he operates and says the shootings in Tucson were an isolated incident that changes to gun laws would not effect.

Enzi says medical records privacy laws prevent meaningful screening of someone who wants to own a gun.

"Ya know, we have a medical system right now that has so much privacy that in some instances a doctor can't look at a person's record, the person can't look at the record, and certainly no one else can who would be dealing with guns. So people with mental illnesses, and there are reasons for that kind of protection, can't be checked to see if they are having that kind of a problem."

Enzi suggests we need to take the basic steps in this country of teaching people that its not right to kill another person. He blames violent video games and a disconnect that comes from playing them. He says increasing gun control won't help in situations where someone with a grudge expresses it violently. While some constituents have expressed concern for his safety, he believes people in Wyoming are sensible and he's not concerned.

"I've never had security. I have the right to ask for security any time. If I were threatened in some way I might ask for that. I've not been threatened. I'm been pleased the people of Wyoming are willing to share ideas. I'm sure in some parts of the country the loudness with which they share that might scare them quite a bit. That's my job; to go out and find out what people are thinking about, especially the ones that are angry."