The No. 2 Republican in the Senate defended people who want to own an AR-15-style rifle, claiming that the voters he represents use the guns to shoot varmints and prairie dogs.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) noted the gun, which has faced criticism after several high-profile mass shootings in recent weeks, is among the most popular in the United States. Some Democrat lawmakers and pundits have pushed for a full ban on the rifle, while others have said that there should be a federal age restriction on AR-15s.
