Rudy Giuliani on Gun Control Former Mayor of New York City; Republican Candidate for 2000 Senate (NY)

As mayor, suggested federal gun licensing

Rudy tried to finesse the issue of gun control by saying it should "be resolved on a state-by-state basis" and that when he was mayor, he always said, "It's one thing for New York, it's something different for Texas." But Second Amendment rights belong to individuals, not to states or cities. You don't gain or lose Second Amendment rights when you change your address. And even more important, that's not really what he said when he was mayor. Back then he said, "We need a federal law that bans all assault weapons. The United States Congress needs to pass uniform licensing for everyone carrying a gun." That, folks, is national gun control--the same for New York and Texas.

Government can impose reasonable regulations on guns

A: We have to be very aggressive about enforcing the gun laws that exist. The Second Amendment gives people an individual right to keep and to bear arms; however, [the] Government can impose reasonable regulations.

Focus on criminals, not on guns

A: I think states have a right to decide that. We have a federal system. We allow states to make different decisions. The focus of our laws should be on criminals. That’s what I did in New York City

NYC gun control laws made NYC safest big city in US

A: I would say to them the FBI would disagree with that. New York City was, during the years that I was mayor, the safest large city in the United States. For example, in Boston, there was a 59% greater chance you’d be the victim of a crime than in New York City. In many other cities, there was 100% to 300% greater chance that you’d be a victim of a crime than in New York City. One of the things I accomplished as mayor of New York City was the impossible. I took a city that was the crime capital of America, and I made it not only the safest large city in America, I made it safer than 189 small cities. So, I mean, people have their right to their own feelings. The reality is, you were safer in New York than just about any other city in the United States after I was mayor for about three or four years.

2nd Amendment gives people the individual right to bear arms

Supported nationwide licensing & assault weapons ban

A: I did everything I could as mayor o New York City to reduce crime. And the strategy against guns, both civil and criminal, was very aggressive.

Q: But that wasn’t just tough in New York City, it was tough around the nation.

A: But so was the strategy I utilized in New York City on everything. I was criticized for being too aggressive about the enforcement of the laws, including the gun laws. But the reality is I began with the city that was the crime capital of America. When I left, it was the safest large city in America.

Things you do in NY about guns may be different than TX

A: The quote that I have from the time I was mayor is that the conditions in New York and the things you do in New York about guns may be different than Texas. And the reality is I’ve always looked at it that way.

Q: But at the time you said, in fact, that weak gun laws in other states might actually end up producing guns on the streets of New York, so you needed nationwide laws.

Q: What we were doing was using civil remedies to try to help New York, as well as using criminal remedies to help New York. The reality is as mayor of New York, I looked to do all the things that I could do to protect the people of my city.

Q: And as president?

A: As president, my interest is going to be how to protect the people of the United States of America. When I take that oath of office, it’ll be real clear to me who the people I have to protect are.

Gun control reduces urban crime; no effect on hunting

NYC sued two dozen major gun manufacturers and distributors

All gun owners should pass written test