Coburn favors some stronger gun safety laws

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn says he does think something can be done to help strengthen gun safety, specifically as it relates to keeping weapons out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill.

Without referring to any specific measures, Coburn said he will work with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Virginia) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) to help craft stronger laws.

"I think there's lots of good things that can happen in terms of mental health screening and checks," he said Friday while between meetings at the Summit Club in downtown Tulsa. "Everybody...if you transfer your car, you have to have a license to transfer, it has to go through that, that's a responsibility of freedom. I have no problems with us making sure that we don't allow guns to get in the hands of either felons, or people who are a danger to themselves or other people.

"I'm willing to work with Manchin and Schumer on that, and going to."

Asked about a proposal that would allow pediatricians to ask juvenile patients about guns in their home, he said that won't happen.

"Doctors, first of all in our society right now, aren't gonna take the time to ask kids about guns in the home." He added, "that's not any of the doctor's business, from a true liberty standpoint, a protected rights standpoint."