Senator Jeanne Shaheen says she supports a federal ban on assault rifles.
But Shaheen says more needs to be done to prevent tragedies like the one that happened in Newtown, Connecticut Friday.
Shaheen says there needs to be a comprehensive response to the school shooting.
Twenty-six people were killed in the shooting, including 20 children.
Shaheen says the nation must make sure mental health services are available for those who need it.
“Clearly the young man who was the shooter in this case, as in so many other cases that we’ve seen, was a very troubled young man who did not get the mental health support that he needed and the treatment that he needed.”
Shaheen made those comments following a tour of a manufacturing company in Hudson Monday morning.
The purpose of Shaheen’s visit was to stress the need for reaching a deal to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.
Shaheen says she is headed back to Washington and is urging leaders to come to a compromise.
Also on Monday, Jeff Grappone, Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte’s Communications Director, released the following statement regarding the shooting and a proposed assault weapons ban.
“All Americans continue to mourn with the people of Newtown and pray for the victims and their families," Grappone said.
"While Senator Ayotte believes that denying the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens will not change the behavior of those intent on using firearms to commit horrific crimes, she supports a thorough review of our laws, including how we deal with mental illness, to determine what can be done to deter and prevent mass shootings.”
