Gun Control
Gun politics in the United States, viewed in its simplest form, addresses three questions. First, "does the Constitution permit federal, state, or local regulation of individual firearms ownership? Second, do such laws effectively and materially reduce violent crime? And third, what regulations are needed?" Key to this issue is the Second Amendment, which is interpreted by supporters of gun rights as enshrining an individual right, and by advocates of gun control as referring to a right of the people to arm themselves only when bonded together for communal defense. A consensus of legal opinion does support the federal regulation of firearms. The history of enactment of gun regulation legislation is characterized by repetitive cycles of popular outrage, action and reaction usually in response to sensational shootings. The first modern gun regulation, the 1911 Sullivan Act in New York State emerged in reaction to an attempt to murder New York City Mayor William Jay Gaynor. The shooting deaths of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. led to public outrage and the political action with enactment of the federal Gun Control Act of 1968. Supporters of individual gun rights have resisted nearly all these regulation efforts, often spearheaded by the National Rifle Association. This outrage-action-reaction cyclical pattern reflects an essential core value conflict at the center of the gun politics issue.
Joseph Biden on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports Gun Control |
| Description: | Joseph Biden supports gun control. As a senator, he introduced a bill in 1989 and 1990 to ban assault weapons. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Gun Control - Are our "babies" safe? (7/31/07)
Supports gun control. Work with law enforcement to protect against people who cannot safely handle a gun. |
| 2. |
Biden says aggressive gun control agenda a "liability" for Democrats (7/13/07)
Joe Biden speaks on gun control |
| 3. |
Joe Biden interview (7/13/07)
Joe's interview with meet the press |
Michael Bloomberg on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports Gun Control |
| Description: | Michael Bloomberg co-founded a bipartisan national coalition of mayors committed to cracking down on those who sell or use illegal guns known as 'Mayors Against Illegal Guns'. Bloomberg stated, "the fact is that most crimes are committed with illegal weapons and that is where the new gun debate is, or at least should be, centered. In New York, we aggressively go after these guns, but no city can stop the flow of illegal firearms alone, just like no city can stop the flow of illegal drugs alone. These are national problems that require national leadership. . .This isn't about gun control. It's about crime control.The question is, can't we protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners while also doing more to keep guns out of the hands of criminals? Of course. It's not an either-or; a middle ground exists." Bloomberg strongly opposes the Tiahrt Amendment, saying that it limits law enforcements' access to ATF trace data, which he believes is critical to combating the growing black market of illegal guns. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
The Changing Gun Debate (8/7/07)
Article written by Michael Bloomberg addressing the gun control debate. |
| 2. |
Mayor Michael Bloomberg Urges Attorney General Gonzales To Share Gun Trace Data And Support Repeal Of Tiahrt Amendment (8/7/07)
Letter written by Michael Bloomberg to Attorney General Gonzales urging him to repeal the Tiahrt Amendment and allow law enforcement to share ATF trace data in order to deal with the growing illegal gun black market |
| 3. |
Coalition Principles (8/7/07)
Founding principles of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition. These are strategies designed to stop the flow of illegal guns into America's cities. |
Hillary Clinton on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Pro gun-control |
| Description: | In 1992 Hillary Clinton supported a federal ban on semi-automatic firearms before the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was passed in 1993 and signed by President Clinton. During a 1999 press conference at the White House, First Lady Hillary Clinton stated, "And since the crime bill was enacted, 19 of the deadliest assault weapons are harder to find on our streets. We will never know how many tragedies we've avoided because of these efforts." In the 1999 Proposition B in Missouri campaign, Robin Carnahan's Safe Schools and Workplaces Committee, on the weekend prior to voting day, coordinated a taped phone message from Hillary Clinton that automatically dialed 75,000 homes statewide with the message, "Just too dangerous for Missouri families." Hillary Clinton favors "sensible gun control legislation" and not limiting gun control lawsuits. She made gun control issues part of her 2000 Senate campaign.Hillary Clinton was one of 16 Senators who voted against the 2006 Vitter Amendment, which prohibits the funding of the confiscation of lawfully-held firearms during a disaster. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Gun Control (7/5/07)
Hillary Clinton talks about ban on certain assault weapons |
| 2. |
Hillary Clinton renews call for gun licensing and registration (7/5/07)
Clinton speaks about the importance of gun licensing and registration |
| 3. |
U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes (7/5/07)
Hillary Clinton was one of 16 Senators who voted against the 2006 Vitter Amendment, which prohibits the funding of the confiscation of lawfully-held firearms during a disaster. |
John Cox on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Opposes Gun Control |
| Description: | I am a Lifetime member of the NRA and fully support gun ownership and our Second Amendment right to bear arms. "Gun control" doesn't work, and uses precious resources rather than going after criminals. Concealed Carry laws have helped prevent crime in the states that have adopted them. - John Cox |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Protecting our Second Amendment Rights (9/9/07)
Lifetime member of the NRA and fully support gun ownership and Second Amendment right to bear arms. Believes "Gun control"; doesn't work, and uses precious resources rather than going after criminals. Concealed Carry laws have helped prevent crime in the states that have adopted them. |
Christopher Dodd on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports background checks at gun shows and assault weapon ban |
| Description: | Dodd has voted in favor of background checks at gun shows. He voted against prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers and against loosening license and background checks at gun shows. He also supported the ban on assault weapons. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 106th Congress Lautenberg Amendment No. 362 (8/21/07)
Christopher Dodd voted yes on background checks at gun shows. |
John Edwards on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports background checks and restriction of assault weapons. |
| Description: | John Edwards believes that the right to own a gun should be protected. He also supports in background checks and restrictions on the purchase of assault weapons. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Edwards touts southern roots in S.C. (7/7/07)
This article includes the following paragraph: Edwards supports gun control measures such as background checks at gun shows, but stressed his support of gun ownership rights in his rural America plan. In the interview with the AP, Edwards said he grew up hunting deer, rabbits and birds, but doesn't hunt any longer. "I think it's important for us to respect the right to own firearms and to use them for protection," he said. "I don't think, though, that it means anybody needs an AK-47 to hunt." |
Newt Gingrich on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Opposes Gun Control |
| Description: | Gingrich feels that citizens should be able to carry handguns and is a long time supporter of the NRA. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Newt Gingrich and Timothy McVeigh: One Degree of Separation (10/4/07)
Newt has given money to NRA and wrote a letter to the NRA claiming that no gun control legislation will be passed as long as he is speaker of the house. |
| 2. |
Gingrich: Gun Laws Too Restrictive (10/4/07)
Gingrich argues the Virginia Tech killer could have been stopped if people were able to carry guns. |
Rudolph Giuliani on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports Gun Control |
| Description: | As mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani supported a federal gun license, a ban on assault weapons, and tough nationwide regulation of guns. Recently, he has stated that he supports hand gun regulation. He has consistently supported the right to own a gun guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the second amendment. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Giuliani: First Amendment Protects Gun Owners (7/26/07)
Mayor Giuliani supports the first amendment right to carry and bear arms. |
| 2. |
Rudy Giuliani on Gun Control and NRA (7/26/07)
Mayor Giuliani states he believes that there should be harsher penalties for gun users, that the people are the problem, and that he cannot understand why the NRA opposes the assault gun ban. |
| 3. |
Giuliani on Gun Control (7/26/07)
Mayor Giuliani favors gun control for hand guns. |
| 4. |
Rudy Giuliani on Federal Gun Control Licensing (7/26/07)
"My personal solution to it is that congress pass a law that subjects gun ownership to the same licensing requirements that driving a car is subjected too. So that you have to get a license, pass a test, pass a physical test, pass a mental test, then you can get a gun. But the licensing requirements would be stringent including you having to show that you can legally and successfully handle a gun, that you know what to do with it." |
| 5. |
Rudy Giuliani On Gun Control, Immigration & 9/11 (7/26/07)
Mayor Giuliani defends his position on gun control. |
| 6. |
Giuliani's Speech at NRA Doesn't Reassure Skeptics (10/25/07)
Rudolph W. Giuliani sought to persuade members of the National Rifle Association to look past his lengthy record of pushing for tougher gun control by saying that his views on this issue had been changed by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. |
Al Gore on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports Gun Control |
| Description: | "I favor a photo license I.D. requirement for the purchase of a new handgun. I favor closing the gun show loophole. In fact, I cast the tie breaking vote in the senate to close this. . . I favor reinstatement of the three day waiting period under the Brady Law. . . toughening of enforcement on the gun laws and toughening of penalties for violation of the gun law, and better enforcement." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
The Second Gore-Bush Presidential debate (7/23/07)
Presidential debate between Bush and Gore, held on October 11, 2000 |
| 2. |
Vice President Al Gore considers issues such as oil prices, abortion and gun control. (7/23/07)
Jim Lehrer interviews Al Gore on key election issues. March 14, 2000 |
Mike Gravel on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports licensing and firearm training program |
| Description: | "Senator Gravel fully supports the 2nd Amendment, he believes that fundamental change must take place with regards to gun ownership. The senator advocates a licensing program where a potential gun owner must be licensed as well as properly trained with a firearm before they may own one." - Gravel's campaign website |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
The Issues: 2nd Amendment Rights (8/7/07)
Mike Gravel's stance on 2nd Amendment rights from his official campaign website. |
Mike Huckabee on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Opposes |
| Description: | Huckabee feels that the second amendment is just as important as the first amendment. He has voted against numerous gun control bills. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Huckabee Answers Question at NRA Conference (10/15/07)
Huckabee says that it is unconstitutional to not allow people to bear arms. |
| 2. |
Huckabee Speaking at NRA Conference (10/15/07)
Mike Huckabee speaking at the NRA Conference - 9/07. |
Duncan Hunter on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Opposes Gun Control |
| Description: | "... the Second Amendment is not about hunting. It is about the right of you and me to be secure in our homes. We must vigorously defend against all attempts to chip away at the Second Amendment. You know as well as I do that there is one thing criminals prefer over any other: unarmed victims." - Duncan Hunter |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Second Amendment (7/26/07)
He talks about how much he supports the 2nd amendment. |
Dennis Kucinich on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Ban possession of handguns for civilians |
| Description: | Kucinich is currently drafting legislation that includes a ban on the purchase, sale, transfer, or possession of handguns by civilians. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Kucinich Offers Comprehensive Plan to Address Violence in America (7/9/07)
Kucinich's plan to address violence in America. |
John McCain on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | No Gun Control |
| Description: | "I strongly support the Second Amendment and I believe the Second Amendment ought to be preserved — which means no gun control," McCain said. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
McCain says he backs 'no gun control' (7/5/07)
McCain says no to gun control during a speech to veterans. |
Barack Obama on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Pro Gun-Control |
| Description: | Barack Obama supports the stricter control of guns and ammunitions at gun shows and supports a national database that would capture the fingerprint left by a gun on a bullet. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Obama Record May Be Gold Mine For Critics (7/6/07)
Explains that Barack Obama supports gun control. |
| 2. |
Keyes, Obama are far apart on guns (10/5/07)
How Obama is pro gun control and his opponent Keyes is not. |
| 3. |
Keyes, Obama are far apart on guns (10/5/07)
How Obama is pro gun control and his opponent Keyes is not. |
Ron Paul on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Pro Second Amendment |
| Description: | The only 2008 presidential candidate to earn Gun Owners of America's (GOA) A rating, Paul has authored and sponsored pro-Second Amendment legislation in Congress. In the first chapter of his book, Freedom Under Siege, Paul argued that the purpose of the Second Amendment is to place a check on government tyranny, not to merely grant hunting rights or allow self-defense. He has also fought for the right of pilots to be armed. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Presidential Candidates and the Second Amendment (7/5/07)
GOA talks about how Ron Paul has been a leader in the fight to defend and restore the Second Amendment. |
| 2. |
H.R. 1096 (7/5/07)
Bill Sponsored by Ron Paul. |
| 3. |
GOP's Ron Paul, Only Pres. Candidate for Gun Rights? (7/5/07)
Talks about the bill Ron Paul sponsored on second amendment rights. |
Bill Richardson on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Endorsed by the NRA, has his own concealed carry permit, supports second amendment rights, supports instant background checks |
| Description: | "I'm a gun owner. I'm a western governor. I believe the issue is not gun control. The issue, as happened in Virginia Tech, is instant background checks. I am for instant background checks, I am for a bill that Carolyn McCarthy is doing now in the House of Representatives which tightens background checks. . .the assault weapons ban did not work. . .What I would do is I would focus more of our efforts on, for instance, background checks with those with criminal backgrounds and the mentally ill. We have to tighten up those background checks. I am for doing that. but the problem is the states don't have the database, the resources." - Richardson |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Gun Control - Are our "babies" safe? (7/31/07)
Supports instant background checks. Nobody with a criminal background or mentally ill should be able to buy a weapon. Reduce poverty to address the issues of gun use. |
| 2. |
Bill Richardson discusses his 2008 presidential campaign (7/24/07)
Tim Russert interviews Bill Richardson regarding his position on key election issues |
| 3. |
NM Governor Bill Richardson spells out his views on guns (7/24/07)
Video of Tim Russert's Interview with Bill Richardson on Meet the Press |
Mitt Romney on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Believes in second amendment rights but doesn't think assault weapons are needed in public. |
| Description: | "I have a gun of my own. I go hunting myself. I'm a member of the NRA and believe firmly in the right to bear arms. In our state . . . there are a series of laws restricting gun ownership in various ways. Over the past four years, I've worked very closely with the Gun Owners' Action League here, which is an affiliate of the NRA, and we've made some changes which I think they feel have been positive steps. And so you are going to see that, I think, hopefully, in other states as well, as they make progress, perhaps further than Massachusetts has." "So I'm a hunter and believe in Second Amendment rights, but I also believe that assault weapons are not needed in the public population." - Mitt Romney |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (8/4/07)
"Well, let's get the record straight. First of all, there's no question that I support Second Amendment rights, but I also support an assault weapon ban. An in the -- with regards to gay rights, I have always been somebody who opposes discrimination. But I also consistently feel that it's critical to have marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman." |
| 2. |
Mitt Romney: The Complete Interview (7/19/07)
Talks about Romney in the NRA |
| 3. |
Romney vs. Romney (7/19/07)
A satirical interview that points out how Romney has changed his stance on several issues including gun control |
Tom Tancredo on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Opposes Gun Control |
| Description: | "I fully and completely support the right of the people to keep and bear arms. " - Tom Tancredo Tom Tancredo has voted yes on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers and prohibiting suing gun makers & sellers for gun misuse. He has also voted to decrease gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. Tancredo was given a B by the NRA for his support of guns. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Gun Control (7/26/07)
How Tancredo feels about the right to bear arms. |
| 2. |
Gun Control (7/26/07)
How Tancredo feels about the right to bear arms. |
Fred Thompson on Gun Control
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Generally opposes gun control |
| Description: | "Well, I'm against gun control generally. If you check my record you'll find I'm pretty consistent on that." - Fred Thompson |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Fred on the Issues (8/29/07)
An interview with him from fox news |
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