|
Lincoln Chafee on Gun Control
Libertarian presidential challenger; Independent RI Governor; Republican Senator (1999-2007)
|
|
|
Distrust of government is reason for 2d Amendment advocacy
One of the issues he's been dinged for in the past by libertarians is gun control, but Chafee says he's come to think "the reason there is more advocacy for strong Second Amendment protections is distrust of our government, and that distrust is
legitimate." Chafee thinks mistrust of the government makes total sense, and he does "believe the authors of the Second Amendment wrote it with that in mind, and if there is distrust of government we want to have a well-regulated armed militia."
Source: Reason magazine on 2020 presidential hopefuls
, Jan 6, 2020
My "F" rating from NRA means I vote for common sense
Q: You have an "F" rating from the NRA.CHAFEE: I have a good record of voting for gun commonsense safety legislation, but the reality is, despite these tragedies that happen time and time again, when legislators
step up to pass commonsense gun safety legislation, the gun lobby moves in and tells the people they're coming to take away your guns. I would bring the gun lobby in and say we've got to change this.
Source: 2015 CNN Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas
, Oct 13, 2015
Common-ground, commonsense safety legislation
I have a good record of voting for gun commonsense safety legislation, but despite these tragedies that happen time and time again, when legislators step up to pass commonsense gun safety legislation, the gun lobby moves in and tells the people
they're coming to take away your guns. And, they're successful at it.ÿI would bring the gun lobby in and say we've got to change this. Where can we find common ground?ÿWe believe in the Second Amendment, but let's find common ground.
Source: Washington Post 2015 coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls
, Oct 13, 2015
2014: B+ rating from Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
The state of Rhode Island, where Chafee served as a mayor, senator, and governor, received a B+ rating from the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence in 2014.
The state requires background checks on private sales, has a waiting period on all sales, and requires mental health checks. In 2012, Chafee voted to ban semiautomatic weapons and high capacity magazines in Rhode Island.
Source: Newsweek magazine on 2020 presidential hopefuls
, Jun 25, 2015
2013: Ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
According to Rhode Island Public Radio, as governor, Chafee supported 2013 legislation that would have banned semi-automatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. (That legislation was watered down significantly before it passed the legislature.)
Gun control advocates see Clinton as "an ally who can finish the push for tightened background checks that has stalled in President Obama's second term," The Hill reports.
Source: Rolling Stone magazine on 2016 presidential hopefuls
, Jun 18, 2015
Common sense adherence to the Second Amendment
The freedoms granted to America in our Constitution should never be abridged.
I believe in common sense adherence to the Second Amendment.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Chafee2016.com
, Jun 4, 2015
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers.
A bill to prohibit civil liability actions from being brought or continued against manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition for damages, injunctive or other relief resulting from the misuse of their products by others. Voting YES would: - Exempt lawsuits brought against individuals who knowingly transfer a firearm that will be used to commit a violent or drug-trafficking crime
- Exempt lawsuits against actions that result in death, physical injury or property damage due solely to a product defect
- Call for the dismissal of all qualified civil liability actions pending on the date of enactment by the court in which the action was brought
- Prohibit the manufacture, import, sale or delivery of armor piercing ammunition, and sets a minimum prison term of 15 years for violations
- Require all licensed importers, manufacturers and dealers who engage in the transfer of handguns to provide secure gun storage or safety devices
Reference: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act;
Bill S 397
; vote number 2005-219
on Jul 29, 2005
Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence.
Vote to pass a bill that would block certain civil lawsuits against manufacturers, distributors, dealers and importers of firearms and ammunition, mainly those lawsuits aimed at making them liable for gun violence. In this bill, trade groups would also be protected The bill would call for the dismissal of pending lawsuits against the gun industry. The exception would be lawsuits regarding a defect in a weapon or ammunition. It also would provide a 10-year reauthorization of the assault weapons ban which is set to expire in September 2004. The bill would increase the penalties for gun-related violent or drug trafficking crimes which have not resulted in death, to a minimum of 15 years imprisonment. The bill calls for criminal background checks on all firearm transactions at gun shows where at least 75 guns are sold. Exemptions would be made available for dealers selling guns from their homes as well as members-only gun swaps and meets carried out by nonprofit hunting clubs.
Reference: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act;
Bill S.1805/H.R.1036
; vote number 2004-30
on Mar 2, 2004
Page last updated: Sep 01, 2020