© 2024 WEKU
NPR for Central and Eastern Kentucky
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Thanks for supporting WEKU! The new WEKU pottery mug is still available. Support WEKU at $8.89 per month and get the WEKU pottery mug while supplies last.

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul discusses crime, federal spending in Lexington

After meeting with Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and other city officials Friday, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul discussed ways to address crime, including gun violence.
John McGary
/
WEKU
After meeting with Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and other city officials Friday, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul discussed ways to address crime, including gun violence.

U.S. Senator Rand Paul came to Lexington Friday to discuss crime with Mayor Linda Gorton, the chief of police and community organizers. At a news conference afterwards, Paul said when gun violence is discussed, extreme polarization between Republicans and Democrats leads to nothing happening. He said each year, about 100-thousand felons try to purchase guns, and just one percent of them are prosecuted.
 
“You have to always try to find resources, this is a federal issue, but it intersects with the local, would be to try to find money. We have a $1.2 billion fund for Afghanistan reconstruction. I don't know about everybody else, but I'm kind of tired of sending our money overseas. And I think we could spend some of that money here.”

Paul said he’ll introduce a bill that would use some of that money to hire more U.S. attorneys to prosecute felons illegally trying to purchase guns. He also praised a portion of the Safer Kentucky Act passed by the General Assembly this session.

“The one aspect of the act that I advocated for -- the Safer Act – was the idea that if you attempt to kill someone, but you don't hit them with the bullets, that it should be considered to be a violent crime, not a non-violent crime.”

Paul said it’s important to find common ground between parties – and local, state and federal government officials.

** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.

John McGary is a Lexington native and Navy veteran with three decades of radio, television and newspaper experience.
WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.
Related Content