US Rep. Peterson opposes new assault weapons ban

WASHINGTON — The dean of Minnesota's congressional delegation says reviving a ban on assault weapons won't solve the problem of gun violence.

Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson has been a staunch supporter of gun rights and has an "A'' rating from the National Rifle Association. He represents a mostly rural northwestern Minnesota district.

He told KFGO-AM on Thursday that the massacre at a Connecticut elementary school has changed the conversation to some extent. And he says he's willing to have the discussion as long as everything is on the table. He suggests that the discussion should include violent video games and movies.

But he says the old assault weapons ban didn't reduce violence and reviving the prohibition against large ammunition clips won't solve the problem because smaller clips can be changed out quickly.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.