Shannon O'Brien in Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009


On Abortion: History of protecting women’s right to choose

O’Brien, as a state legislator, had a strong pro-choice voting record in both the House and Senate. She voted to protect the accessibility of abortion services for all women; helped ensure passage of the Clinic Access Bill; supported efforts to create buffer zones around abortion clinics; and co-sponsored legislation to create funding for abortion counseling for victims of rape and incest.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial website, ObrienGabrieli.com “Choice” Sep 17, 2002

On Civil Rights: Protect civil rights of gays; allow civil unions

Shannon supports full and equal rights for gay & lesbian citizens, and believes that committed couples should be able to enter into civil unions and receive full benefits and protections in Massachusetts. She opposes the “defense of marriage” legislation as well as the constitutional amendment proposals that would forever deny these protections to the families of gay men and women. Shannon believes that recognizing gay and lesbian families will strengthen communities and families.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial website, ObrienGabrieli.com/issues/ Sep 17, 2002

On Crime: DNA “fingerprint” all felons

Massachusetts should harness new forms of technology that assist law enforcement in crime prevention & investigation. The O’Brien-Gabrieli Administration will expand the role of DNA forensics in the Commonwealth’s crime-fighting program to include gathering a “DNA fingerprint” from every convicted felon.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial website, ObrienGabrieli.com, “Crime Plan” Sep 17, 2002

On Gun Control: 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

On Gun Control: 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

The above quotations are from Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009.
Click here for other excerpts from Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009.
Click here for other excerpts by Shannon O'Brien.
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Page last updated: Dec 02, 2018