Hundreds rally in Kentucky for gun control legislation

Associated Press
Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, speaks during the first of two Democratic presidential primary debates hosted by CNN Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in the Fox Theatre in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan traveled to Kentucky to call on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring House-backed gun regulation bills to the U.S. Senate floor for a vote.

Ryan, a Democrat running for president, led a "caravan" Thursday from northeast Ohio to McConnell's hometown of Louisville.

Hundreds of supporters of gun control legislation gathered at the city's Muhammad Ali Center to hear Ryan and others.

Ryan says he wants to get "weapons of war ... off the streets." Nine people were killed Sunday in a mass shooting in Ryan's home state, hours after a shooting at a Texas Walmart.

U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth of Louisville said Ali's widow, Lonnie Ali, wanted the rally held at the Ali Center. She says the late civil rights icon would have supported the effort.