Rep. Lynch voices support for president's gun control proposals

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) Congressman Stephen Lynch voiced his support for President Barack Obama's gun control proposals on Monday.

Rep. Lynch said in a statement that he fully supports "President Obama's reasonable gun control recommendations."

The South Boston Democrat also explained how gun violence has impacted his family.

"This is a very personal issue for me, as my cousin was shot to death in 1996. He was shot nine times, and his daughter had to grow up without a father. Far too many people have shared this fate over the past few years. Too many sons and daughters have grown up without mothers and fathers, and too many parents have had to go on with life mourning the loss of their children," says Lynch.

Lynch says he has co-sponsored a bill proposed by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy that would improve the background check system and close loopholes allowing some gun purchasers to avoid background checks altogether.

The congressman, who announced his candidacy in the upcoming special election last week, says he will carry his commitment to gun control legislation with him to the Senate.

Lynch's statement comes on the same day President Obama travels outside of Washington to push his gun control proposals. Democrats face a tough fight on Capitol Hill when it comes to a ban on assault weapons and universal background checks for gun buyers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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