Arizona State Senator Warren Petersen (R-Gilbert) spoke against a gun control Senate bill (SB) on Tuesday.

Sen. @votewarren explains why tougher gun restrictions are not the answer in stopping mass shootings, and how these kinds of laws will only prevent law abiding citizens from protecting themselves,” AZSenateRepublicans tweeted.

“The reason why this bill should not be supported is because it will stop law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves. Criminals do not follow gun laws. They will not abide by this law. Only law-abiding citizens will abide by this law, so you will simply restrict more opportunities to protect people,” Petersen said when explaining his vote.

“You know who stopped the killer? A law-abiding father [off-duty Border Patrol agent Jacob Albarado],” Petersen said, “using his constitutional right. He was sitting in the barber’s office, having his hair cut, received a text, dad, I’m in trouble, honey, I’m in trouble. You know what he did? He took his barber’s shotgun. Now imagine if a barber couldn’t have access to a shotgun, he [Albarado] wouldn’t have one. But this father took his barber’s shotgun, went down to the school, and killed the shooter.”

Subsequent reports from multiple media outlets say that the Robb Elementary School shooter was shot and killed by member of the Border Patrol tactical unit, and not Mr. Albarado. However, Albarado did help evacuate children from the scene, including his own daughter.

“You know what I want? I want people who can exercise their Second Amendment rights around me,” Petersen said. “So, you know what happens when we restrict people’s right to bear arms? More people die. You know where these shooters love to go? They love to go to gun-free zones.”

Petersen finished his argument by saying, “It takes a good guy with a gun to stop a bad guy with a gun. I vote ‘no,’ so good guys with guns can stop bad guys with guns.”

During a Senate floor session this week, State Sen. Martín Quezada (D-Maricopa) moved to suspend Senate rules 2J, 8A, 8B, and notwithstanding Senate rule 16 in accordance with Senate rule 23B. The Senate president put this move to a vote. If passed, the Senate would hold an immediate third reading of SB 1546, a gun control bill sponsored by Quezada. According to the Arizona Legislation website, azleg.gov, SB 1546 – which expanded background checks and limited the selling of all firearms to licensed dealers – failed to advance beyond a Senate second reading.

Aside from Petersen, other State Senate Republicans voted against suspending the Senate rules.

Ultimately, with a vote of 13 “ayes” and 15 “nays,” the floor failed to suspend Senate rules. SB 1546 did not receive a third hearing.

– – –

Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and Star News Media. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Warren Petersen” by Arizona Senate Democrats.