Paul Ryan: Gun Show Loopholes Should Be Addressed

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Monday that he is open to closing gun show loopholes that allow individuals to purchase firearms without a background check.

"I think we should look into someone not legally allowed to buy a gun going to buy one and let's figure that out," Ryan said in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Let's find out how to close these loopholes without infringing on Second Amendment rights."

Reaffirming his opposition to an assault weapons ban, Ryan claimed that such a measure would not work because similar legislation did not work "the last time," referring to the law that expired in 2004.

Ryan reiterated his willingness to have a conversation about causes of violence and focus on why someone who is "clearly mentally ill" could bypass background checks.

Earlier this week, Ryan touched on the background check issue during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"I think the question of whether or not a criminal is getting a gun is a question we need to look at," Ryan said.

The former Republican vice presidential candidate, who is an avid hunter and has an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association, addressed gun control several times during the 2012 campaign.

In August, Ryan said he was "happy to be clinging to my guns and my religion," playing off an infamous quote from President Barack Obama. And during a September speech at a National U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance banquet, Ryan said gun owners should fear a second Obama term.

"I shudder as a gun owner ... what would he do if he never has to face the voters ever again?" Ryan said "The next president is going to pick a lot of judges. The next president will appoint a lot of different judges, and these are lifetime appointments. If you want to make sure that judges respect our Second Amendment rights, you need a president who respects those rights as well."

Watch the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interview below.