WASHINGTON - Since a teacher at Lake Worth Middle School was fatally shot by a student on the last day of classes, congressional candidate Jean Elliott Brown has attended the funeral and other vigils, met school officials and talked about her views supporting gun control.

"It was a natural fit," said campaign manager Karen Schneider.

Brown also criticized her opponent, Rep. Mark Foley, a West Palm Beach Republican whose district includes parts of Martin and St. Lucie counties, saying he voted against what she calls sensible gun control measures.

"After reviewing Mr. Foley's voting record and campaign contributions from the (National Rifle Association), it appears to be clear who Mr. Foley is representing," Brown said. Brown cited Foley's vote last year for an amendment to the Mandatory Gun Show Background Check Act that would offer 24 hours of additional background checks if an instant check turned up a red flag at a gun show. Gun control advocates supported a measure that would give authorities 72 hours, because most law enforcement agencies' records departments are closed or short-staffed on weekends, when gun shows often take place.

Foley also voted to repeal the assault weapons ban in 1996, Brown said. "It's very distressing. Mark's votes on guns are real clear," she said, adding that Foley has received $20,000 from the NRA since he was elected.

Foley responded angrily to Brown's statements, saying she was "'seizing a very tragic occasion to try to advance her political career." "A gun was involved. What law would have changed that from occurring?" he asked.

"I"m happy to look at trigger locks," he said, noting that if the gun that teen suspect Nathaniel Brazill reportedly took from his grandfather's house had a lock, he couldn't have used it. "Would a trigger lock have helped? Probably. Certainly. But how do I enforce it? How do I make it happen? "What I want to do is make certain we don't create additional hoops for law-abiding citizens."

Foley advocates prosecution of parents and guardians who leave guns within easy reach of children. "When they're punished by law, when they're brought up on books, hopefully, they"ll understand," he said.

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