Sen. Bernie Sanders checked after Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley touted his record gun control in the state, reminding the governor that Baltimore is hardly “one of the safest cities in America.”
O’Malley was responding to a question about his record on gun control during Saturday’s Democratic presidential debate, saying he passed comprehensive gun safety legislation that included provisions mandating background checks and a ban on assault weapons.
“We got it done in my state by leading with principle, and that’s what we need to do as a country,” the Maryland governor finished.
Sanders cut in to check O’Malley’s framing on the reforms, saying: “With all due respect, I think it’s fair to say Baltimore is not now one of the safest cities in America.”
The homicide rate in Baltimore has spiked sharply since riots over the April death of Freddie Gray in police custody.
