Poloncarz challenges Collins to town hall on gun laws

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is challenging Congressman Chris Collins to join him for a live town hall-style discussion on gun control following the massacre at a South Florida high school that killed 17 people. 

A spokesperson for Poloncarz said the county executive spoke by phone to Collins last Friday on a number of topics, including the potential for gun control laws at the federal level. 

A political advisor for Collins posted a response to he town hall challenge, saying, "It's comical that Mark Poloncarz - who doesn't actually have the courage of his convictions [to] run for federal office - now wants to be a surrogate attack dog and exploit the Parkland tragedy for his own political gain." 

That political advisor suggested, Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw debate Collins instead. 

Mychajliw says he would have a televised discussion with Poloncarz about gun laws, as well as mental health and protecting schools. 

Earlier this week, in response to an anti-gun violence protest led by students in Clarence, Collins released a statement saying he is supportive of President Trump's commitment to ban bump stocks and improve the nation's background check system and "is committed to advancing solutions focused on mental health and other options that prevent individuals like this from having the opportunity to carry out these horrific actions."