2020 Democrats add gun safety to Labor Day campaign agenda

Judy Woodruff:

From coast to coast, the 2020 presidential candidates celebrated Labor Day.

But a weekend of breaking news turned their attention to guns once again.

Lisa Desjardins brings us this campaign update.

Lisa Desjardins:

There they were, at work today, among the crowds and parades charming potential voters.

But, listen closely. On this Labor Day, Democratic candidates for president focused less on jobs and wages, and more on the gun debate, after Odessa, Texas, became the latest site of a mass shooting on Saturday.

Take former Vice President Joe Biden in Iowa. He said the Constitution doesn't protect semiautomatic rifles, like the one used in Odessa.

Joseph Biden:

Having assault weapons on the street and multi — magazines carrying multiple bullets is irrational. There is no need for it, and your Second Amendment rights are in no way violated.

Lisa Desjardins:

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar singled out Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell on guns.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.:

Mitch McConnell is going to have to decide what side he's on. He's going to have to explain to the people of this country why he wouldn't let that bill that just passed the House come up for a vote.

Lisa Desjardins:

And all this follows the comments from former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke, who used an expletive on CNN Sunday while reacting to another mass shooting in his home state.

Beto O’Rourke:

So, yes, this is (EXPLETIVE DELETED) up.

And if we don't call it out for what it is, if we're not able to speak clearly, if we're not able to act decisively, then we will continue to have this kind of bloodshed in America. And I cannot accept that.

Lisa Desjardins:

In Los Angeles, California Senator Kamala Harris hit several notes, vowing executive action on guns if Congress doesn't act, while commemorating the holiday.

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.:

We are celebrating the leadership of organized labor that brought all of us, whether you're member of a union or not, better conditions, better wages, better benefits.

Lisa Desjardins:

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren sent out a Labor Day video to her supporters, while, for another candidate, Labor Day was about their work force.

South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg is expanding in Iowa.

Pete Buttigieg:

That starts with the folks who are gathered here. And it starts in this, the first of 20 field offices that we're going to be opening over the next few days.

Lisa Desjardins:

In the meantime, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders focused on New England, stumping in the first-in-the-nation primary state of New Hampshire.