Survey of 2014 Senate campaign websites: on Gun Control

Amanda Swafford: Sacrificing liberty for safety has never worked

Nathan LaFrance: Attempts at building a federal gun registry are wrong

The United States Constitution could not be more clear: "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed". In addition, Nathan believes that any attempts at building a federal gun registry are wrong, and will vote AGAINST attempts at creating one.

It is time to fight back against those who seek to take away the gun rights of law-abiding Americans. WE have the right to defend ourselves and our families, at home and in public, against those wishing to do us harm. If the 2nd Amendment is important to you, the choice is simple: vote Nathan LaFrance for United States Senate in 2014!

Greg Orman: Owns handguns but supports background checks

Both times that I bought a handgun, I was required to go through a mandatory background check to ensure that I was a US citizen who hadn't been convicted of domestic violence, subject to a restraining order, incarcerated for longer than a year, dishonorably discharged from the military, or determined to be mentally defective. Over 700,000 people who met the description above have been prevented from buying firearms at licensed dealers since the background check requirements went into effect.

The idea that those 700,000 people could simply head to a gun show and buy a firearm without the same background scrutiny doesn't make sense to me. While there are likely other illegal ways for criminals to get firearms, we shouldn't make it easy for a violent offender or a mentally ill individual to get a gun. The process for me took a few minutes and ultimately resulted in me being able to buy my handguns without delay.

Thomas Ravenel: Second Amendment is the only gun law needed

It's always amazed me that government was so gung-ho to restrict our constitutionally guaranteed right to bear arms. After all, the government's own statistics conclusively prove my point that increased gun ownership among the law-abiding public leads to a safer society.

It's a simple equation: Higher gun ownership among our citizens means a safer society. The government knows this. They know this debate isn't about safety--it's about power. In 1938, the Nazis banned Jewish citizens from owning weapons of any kind or participating in the arms' manufacturing industry. We all know what happened next. I'm not suggesting our leaders are Nazis, but I am suggesting it's a lot easier to take people's freedoms away when they can't fight back--and if you think Washington is out of control now, just wait until they succeed in advancing their radical "gun control" agenda.

Randall Batson: Possess & trade firearms as owners wish

Gordon Ball: Second Amendment protects Americans from tyranny

I am often amused by political candidates who go out with their (camo) suits and shotguns and pretend to shoot ducks to show their support for the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment isn't about hunting, it's there to protect Americans from tyranny, to safeguard our families, and to protect our property.

Chad Taylor: I'm a gun owner, but we need to enforce gun laws

As the Shawnee County District Attorney, I am all too familiar with the effects of gun violence on the communities of Kansas. The most critical first step we can take to reduce violence is to enforce the laws we have on the books--like the mandatory minimum five-year federal sentence for felons in possession--and keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals.

I also believe we need to properly and adequately address the lack of mental health services to help those that are most at risk. Without this component, our approach to public policy is incomplete.

Cory Booker: Common sense gun reform on day one

• I was deeply involved with Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a coalition of mayors dedicated to bringing sanity to our gun laws;
• I focused my police department's efforts and resources on gun crime;
• I attracted private philanthropy to invest in cutting edge technology like an acoustic gunshot detection system;
• I even travelled to Washington DC to personally appeal to the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives for law enforcement access to crime gun trace data.
• But now I know that to better protect Newark, other New Jersey cities, and our suburbs and rural areas (which are experiencing more and more gun violence), the fight is in Congress.

Cory Booker: More background checks & gun trace data

I even personally appealed to the ATF for law enforcement access to crime gun trace data so that my department, and departments across New Jersey, could do more to understand and battle against gun trafficking.

Monica Wehby: Protect all constitutional rights, especially 2nd Amendment

As a doctor, Monica Wehby has taken her oath to protect a patient's right to privacy very seriously. As Oregon's US Senator she will take that same seriousness to her pledge to protect and defend the US Constitution. Wehby will fight to protect all of our constitutional rights and especially the 2nd Amendment. She will strongly oppose the UN Arms Treaty which infringes upon our right to keep and bear arms. A constitutional right is an inalienable one and our politicians must always remember that.

Murray Sabrin: Support concealed carry: We are defenseless outside home

This is not to say that everyone should or must carry a firearm to protect himself and his loved ones in public. But responsible firearm owners should have that choice in a society where some sociopaths show no value for human life. Why legislators and their allies in the so-called gun control community have such disregard for human life is astonishing. There ethic boils down to one proposition: it apparently is better for innocents to be targets then have the ability to protect themselves from these marauding murderers.

Bruce Skarin: Right to gun ownership with safety as priority

For too long we have let ourselves get distracted by fundamental disagreements that will never be resolved. As Senator I will shift the focus onto policies that reduce the outcomes that nobody on either side wants to see.

David Clements: Right to bear arms protects all of our other rights

As a U.S. Senator, I will work to improve gun rights and fight against inappropriate judicial tricks such as using the Commerce Clause to justify taking away our freedoms. With the threat of rising crime due to our crashing economy, it's more important than ever that our representatives be 100% committed to defending our right to keep and bear arms.

Shane Osborn: Oppose any gun or ammunition ban

Democrats in Washington have been making a strong push to pass legislation that would pose drastic threats to our freedom. Shane will oppose any gun or ammunition ban that comes to the Senate floor for a vote and will be a voice for law-abiding citizens who don't deserve to have their rights infringed upon.

Nels Mitchell: High priority on right to hunt & fish on public lands

Dan Sullivan: Right to bear arms is an individual right

As DNR Commissioner, Sullivan's department partnered with the National Rifle Association to help finance the future construction of an outdoor shooting range in the Matanuska Susitna Valley.

Rob Maness: 2nd Amendment is the right that ensures all others

Lee Bright: Constitutional Carry Amendment: no permits needed

Lee Bright strongly believes that the Constitution should be taken literally when it says that our right to bear arms "shall not be infringed". This means that the government has no authority to prohibit the free exercise of this liberty, which is why Lee proposed his Constitutional Carry Amendment. This bill would allow S.C. citizens to protect themselves at all times without the need to ask the government for permission first. Other states that allow guns to be carried in public have seen drops in crime rates, while states that enforce strict gun laws see a noticeable rise in crime. Other pro-Second Amendment bills sponsored by Lee include the Firearms Freedom Act, Firearms Liberty Act, along with many others that promote the rights of gun owners.

Randy Baumgardner: Supports the Second amendment

Doug Truax: Hearings on "Stand Your Ground" laws don't address issue

Truax said. "While Chicago continues to be a shooting gallery where our children are murdered every night, Dick Durbin holds ideological hearings in Washington that have no bearing on the root causes of the killings."

Truax said as senator he will address the root causes of inner city violence: lack of jobs, lack of quality education, a growing dependency class, and family breakdown. "We can talk around this important issue or we can try to solve it," Truax said. "Dick Durbin is the master at avoiding the hard truths we must confront if we are to save precious lives."

Jim Rubens: Individual right to bear arms is inviolably guaranteed

Pat McGeehan: Never infringe an individual's right to keep and bear arms

During my time in the West Virginia House of Delegates, I introduced the Firearms Freedom Act, which would prevent federal regulations on firearms manufactured and sold within West Virginia. I received an A rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) for my stance on guns.

Sam Clovis: 2nd Amendment is about liberty, not just gun rights

Liberty is the second unalienable right mentioned in our Declaration of Independence. Liberty, which is more than freedom, deals with the exercise of free will, the exercise of conscience and actions that protect the soul. The Second Amendment is the complete manifestation of all these factors as we live our lives in America. Liberty must be protected at all costs.

Alison Grimes: Proud of long-held sporting & hunting traditions

As an NRA member, my strong support for the Second Amendment is unquestioned. I am proud of Kentucky's long-held gun ownership, sporting and hunting traditions. It is unfortunate that Senator McConnell is desperate to mislead Kentucky voters about my strong support for the Second Amendment. In the Senate, I will protect my fellow Kentuckians' right to keep and bear arms. Whenever he's not busy pandering to Washington lobbyists, I welcome Senator McConnell to come shoot with me at the range any day."

Joe Carr: Second Amendment rights safeguard all other rights

Matt Bevin: Second Amendment is the lynchpin of the Bill of Rights

Matthew Whitaker: Lifetime defender of the Second Amendment

Mead Treadwell: Law-abiding citizens have the right to keep and bear arms

Owen Hill: Protect the right to own & use guns for law-abiding citizens

I also had the privilege of speaking against the unconstitutional and ineffective laws put in place this year that will make it harder for people to protect themselves in what appears to be an increasingly violent world.

Milton Wolf: Self-defense is a God-given right

Joni Ernst: Staunch defender of the Second Amendment

David Perdue: We have ample gun laws on the books now

Champ Edmunds: 2nd Amendment is about our right to defend ourselves

Corey Stapleton: Uphold our right to bear arms