Freshman congressman argues against gun control

AUSTIN (KXAN/AP) - A month after taking office, Central Texas' newest congressman is arguing against any potential federal gun regulations.

U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, a Republican whose district stretches from the Austin area to Fort Worth, visited a gun store in Austin Wednesday saying gun regulations proposed in Congress now violate the Second Amendment and would be ineffective.

Williams said Vice President Joe Biden's gun safety task force already recommends onerous gun restrictions before ever meeting.

He also said there likely will be no compromise on guns.

"This Constitution by this administration has been under attack constantly," said Williams. "When you talk about common ground, I don't know where it is."

The anti-gun control event comes as lawmakers in Washington debate new regulations which potentially include an assault rifle ban, limits on high-capacity magazines, and universal background checks.

The National Rifle Association opposes these proposals.

On Wednesday, former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords said Congress should be bold in writing new laws to address gun violence.

Giffords, a Democrat, was severely wounded in a 2011 shooting spree that killed six people during a forum in Tucson.

She told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Americans are counting on lawmakers to address the problem.

"It will be hard, but the time is now," said Giffords. "Too many children are dying."

The Senate committee is taking the lead in writing legislation to address gun violence.