‘We need a sensible debate about gun control,’ Sanders says

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on Sunday that America has not found a solution on gun control that balances safety with respect for gun-owners.

“We have been yelling and screaming at each other about guns for decades with very little success,” Sanders said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“We need a sensible debate about gun control that overcomes the cultural divide in this country,” he added.

{mosads}Sanders said that as a Vermont lawmaker he values guns for hunting and sports, but this respect is tempered by his disgust for violent crimes involving firearms.

“Folks who do not like guns are fine,” Sanders said. “But we have millions of gun owners in this country who are law-abiding citizens.”

The Vermont lawmaker then dismissed concerns his rhetoric on gun control may alienate progressive voters.

“I have about a D- record from the NRA,” he said of his ranking by the National Rifle Association.

Sanders also said in Sunday’s interview he does not currently support removing tax-exempt status for groups that do not recognize same-sex marriages for religious reasons.

“I respect people who have different points of view,” Sanders said of the faith community.

The Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in a landmark ruling issued on June 26.