Mark Connolly on Gun Control

State assault weapons ban if U.S. Congress fails to act

On guns, Connolly took the hardest line, calling forcefully for a ban on high-power, high capacity assault weapons following the recent surge in mass shootings across the US. "This is a real & present danger to our country, and I think like energy and carbon, states need to take leadership because Washington is obviously broken," he said.

Van Ostern and Marchand argued for universal background checks but suggested a ban would not be effective if residents could buy those weapons in other states. However, Van Ostern, a gun owner and bird hunter, said he would not oppose a state ban.