Chris Jacobs Resigns Amid Gun Law Crisis

Chris Jacobs

Rep. Chris Jacobs, a Republican, stated on Friday that he will not seek re-election to Congress due to outrage over his support for new gun control legislation.

Chris Jacobs, who represents sections of western New York, including Buffalo suburbs, told reporters that he has opted to resign rather than face what he described as a “very difficult race.” His declaration comes only days after he went against his party’s wishes and supported a federal ban on assault weapons. As the nation grieved the terrible shootings at a Texas primary school and a Buffalo grocery last week, Jacobs said if he had the chance, he would support a federal assault weapons ban and other measures.

Conservatives Have Reacted Angrily To Chris Jacobs’ Remarks

Chris Jacobs presently represents the 27th Congressional District in New York but had been competing for the newly redesigned 23rd District, which includes vast sections of new voters, particularly in rural areas.

In a statement, Gerard Kassar, the chairman of the New York State Conservative Party, praised Jacobs’ decision. Despite polling showing that most Americans believe mass shootings would be less frequent if guns were more difficult to obtain, and support legislation that would restrict access to guns or ammunition, Republicans have widely overlooked President Joe Biden’s pleas to support new steps to address gun violence.

However, the data is very politicized, with the great majority of Republicans disagreeing. Before his statements, Jacobs was considered an easy favorite to win the seat, but his remarks provoked a rush of interest from other Republicans, including Buffalo entrepreneur Carl Paladino, who is best known for his confrontational 2010 governor’s race. Shortly after Chris Jacobs’ statement, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, a member of the GOP leadership and a rising star in the party, backed Paladino.