Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009: on Gun Control


Bob McDonnell: Fundamental individual right to bear arms

Bob believes that the Second Amendment clearly states that every law abiding citizen should have the right to own a firearm and that it is an individual right that must be protected.

As Attorney General, Bob filed an amicus brief in support of the individual right to bear arms in the case of Heller v. District of Columbia, which challenged the District's outright ban on personal handgun ownership. He was a vocal and active supporter of this position, and said the following when the Supreme Court ruled against the District's ban: "I am pleased by today's historic decision. The Court has recognized that the Second Amendment clearly protects the individual right to keep and bear arms. This basic right was so important to our Founders that they recognized it in the Bill of Rights. It is a fundamental individual right that government must respect and protect."

As governor, Bob will continue to defend the constitutional rights of Virginians to keep and bear arms.

Source: 2009 VA Gubernatorial campaign site, bobmcdonnell.com Jul 21, 2009

Jerry Brady: Opposes limiting Idahoans’ right to bear arms

Jerry Brady believes in the second amendment to the U.S. Constitution and opposes limiting Idahoans’ right to bear arms.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website, bradyforidaho.org Nov 7, 2006

Mike Rounds: Pro 2nd Amendment Rights

Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, roundsforgov.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Sarah Palin: Supports Constitutional right to bear arms

I am a lifetime member of the NRA, I support our Constitutional right to bear arms and am a proponent of gun safety programs for Alaska’s youth.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, palinforgovernor.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Tim Pawlenty: Statewide background checks to carry firearms

Supported statewide standardized training and background checks for law-abiding citizen to carry firearms.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, www.timpawlenty.com, “Issues” Nov 7, 2006

Jodi Rell: Tough new gun laws, plus special gun courts

Safe and secure neighborhoods, highways and public spaces - for all. Governor Rell believes government has no higher responsibility than safeguarding the lives of its citizens - and that commitment is reflected everywhere. Connecticut cities are getting help in combating urban violence through new initiatives such as “gun courts” - special court dockets, judges and prosecutors dealing strictly with weapons cases - as well as tough new laws.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website jodirell06.com, “Issues” Sep 18, 2006

Christy Mihos: Firm believer in Second Amendment rights

Christy supports clarifying the state’s existing gun control laws and is a firm believer in Second Amendment rights.

Christy supports the Castle Doctrine, which designates one’s home as a place where he or she enjoys certain protections. If one is attacked in his or her own home, he or she may stand ground against an assailant without fear of reprisal.

Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website, www.christy2006.com Jul 16, 2006

Haley Barbour: Protect the rights of gun owners

[I support] protecting the rights of gun owners. I have been a national spokesman on the importance of protecting Second Amendment rights. I will not support any proposal that infringes on the rights of law-abiding gun owners
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website, haleybarbour.com Jan 28, 2006

Tim Kaine: Strongly supports the Second Amendment

Tim Kaine strongly supports the Second Amendment. As the next Governor of Virginia, he will not propose any new gun laws. Instead Tim Kaine will guarantee strict enforcement of our existing criminal laws. He will also expand the use of such enforcement strategies as Project Exile that target criminals who use guns rather than law-abiding gun owners.
Source: 2005 Gubernatorial campaign website kaine2005.org, “Issues” Nov 8, 2005

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Strong supporter of the second amendment

Q: Where do you stand on gun control?

A: I am a strong supporter of the second amendment. The U.S. constitution allows for law-abiding citizens to own a firearm.

Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com Aug 29, 2003

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Support Brady Bill; assault weapon ban; safety locks

I [support the second amendment, but I] also believe that there are responsibilities that gun owners must follow in owning a firearm. I support the Brady bill, I support the current assault weapons ban and I believe that guns must have safety devices or be stored as to prevent accidental discharge.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com Aug 29, 2003

Phil Bredesen: Against new restrictions; for gun safety education

Bredesen believes in the Second Amendment. He will not support or pass new gun control laws that infringe on law-abiding citizens. We need to do a better job of maintaining and strengthening the enforcement of existing federal and state laws. Bredesen will work with local and state sporting groups to promote gun safety, education and responsibility - starting with our children.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial site, Bredesen.com, “Sportsmen’s Rights” Oct 17, 2002

Kathleen Sebelius: No new restrictions: supports second amendment

Kathleen Sebelius supports every Kansan’s second amendment right to bear arms. And, more than that, she supports the Kansas Constitution which provides even greater rights for gun owners. Kathleen Sebelius supports current Kansas gun law and has no proposals to make any changes.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign site www.ksgovernor.com “Issues” Oct 14, 2002

Linda Lingle: No new restrictions on the right to bear arms

I believe Hawaii’s gun safety laws are adequate to protect public safety. I will not support any additional restrictions on the right to bear arms.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial campaign website, LindaLingle.com Oct 10, 2002

Jimmie Lou Fisher: Hunter education instead of any new restrictions

I strongly oppose any legislation that would violate the Second Amendment rights of our people. I oppose any new restrictions being placed on gun owners because I believe that our current laws on firearms are sufficient and should be enforced. I favor hunter education programs and the responsible use of firearms.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial campaign website, JimmieLouFisher.com Oct 7, 2002

Shannon O'Brien: Increase gun safety regulations but maintain hunters’ rights

O’Brien supports gun control laws that ensure the public’s safety, including gun licensing and registration requirements, background checks on purchasers & mandating locked storage of guns or installation of trigger locks. As a legislator, she supported the assault weapons ban in Boston & started legislation to ensure that local police are notified of convictions so they may revoke any firearms permits held by felons. She supports the rights of hunters and sportsmen to legally own and use their guns.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial website, ObrienGabrieli.com “Gun Control” Sep 17, 2002

Shannon O'Brien: Increase penalties for felon handgun possession

In the 1990s, gun violence was reduced in Massachusetts, in part due to successful prosecutions under tough, federal gun laws. Massachusetts should toughen its felon-in-possession law. O’Brien will work to increase the penalty for possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of committing a felony. She proposes to increase the penalty to a 5- year minimum prison sentence, demonstrating that Massachusetts is serious about keeping guns out of the hands of convicted felons.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial website, ObrienGabrieli.com, “Crime Plan” Sep 17, 2002

Brad Henry: Protect gun ownership

“Gaining the support of the Oklahoma Rifle Association is further proof of our connection with the people of Oklahoma,” said Henry. “The ORA supports our campaign not only because I am an advocate for gun rights, but because I am the strongest leader on issues important to the working families of Oklahoma.” Henry, a member of the National Rifle Association, received “A+” ratings from the ORA and the NRA over his ten-year career in the Oklahoma State Senate.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial website, BradHenry4governor.com, "News" Aug 30, 2002

  • The above quotations are from Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Gun Control.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Linda Lingle on Gun Control.
  • Click here for more quotes by Jim Douglas on Gun Control.
Candidates and political leaders on Gun Control:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 02, 2018