2018 NV Governor's race: on Gun Control

Dan Schwartz: Expand state background checks because people voted for it

Attorney General Laxalt cautioned against doing so and deemed the measure unenforceable unless or until the federal agency agreed to conduct the checks. Republican primary election foe Dan Schwartz said he would enforce the initiative.

Schwartz has rarely missed a chance to characterize Laxalt's stance on background checks as an example of thwarting state voters' will. "It's not my job as governor to pick and choose what I like or what I don't like," Schwartz told the RGJ. "If the people of this state voted for Question 1, I'm in the executive branch and it's my job to enforce it. The fact that (Laxalt) doesn't like it isn't the issue. It's about the law."

Steve Sisolak: Expand state background checks without involving Feds

Attorney General Laxalt cautioned against doing so and deemed the measure unenforceable unless or until the federal agency agreed to conduct the checks.

Republican Dan Schwartz said he would enforce the initiative, as did Democrat Steve Sisolak, who responded to Laxalt's remarks with a scathing campaign statement.

"That is exactly the attitude that prevents action from being taken," Sisolak said. "Relying on Donald Trump's Washington to do anything beneficial to the people of Nevada is a fool's errand, but the larger issue is that Nevadans expect their governors to roll up their sleeves and get things done. Nevada deserves better."

Steve Sisolak: Outspoken gun control advocate since Las Vegas shooting

He's taken softer positions on the matter in the past, as his primary election opponent has been eager to point out.

Adam Laxalt: Firearm restrictions not effective in reducing gun violence

Adam Laxalt (R): No. "Increasing restrictions on law-abiding citizens' access to firearms is not effective in reducing gun violence." Opposed expanded background checks, open to banning bump stocks. 100% NRA rating.

Steve Sisolak (D): Formerly opposed, now supports enforcing background checks, banning silencers, bump stocks, and assault weapons. NRA rating was 79% in 2012, now 7%.

Steve Sisolak: Ban silencers, bump stocks, and assault weapons

Adam Laxalt (R): No. "Increasing restrictions on law-abiding citizens' access to firearms is not effective in reducing gun violence." Opposed expanded background checks, open to banning bump stocks. 100% NRA rating.

Steve Sisolak (D): Formerly opposed, now supports enforcing background checks, banning silencers, bump stocks, and assault weapons. NRA rating was 79% in 2012, now 7%.

Jared Fisher: Second Amendment represents freedom & our American heritage

I was taught from a young age to use guns responsibly and respectfully. I was also taught that guns are a part of our American heritage. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are responsible gun owners who participate in hunting and sport shooting. And of course, many choose to own guns as a means of protection for themselves and their families.

Steve Sisolak: I'll take on the NRA and I'll take on Donald Trump

[Caption: Steve Sisolak, chairman, Clark County Commission]

[Steve Sisolak addressing camera]: I've taken on bullies my whole life. Never backed down. Never backed away. When you see somebody getting hurt, you have to stand up.

Donald Trump hurts Nevada families. He wants to take healthcare away from 200,000 Nevadans.

[Photo: Trump with CNN Headline: "Trump expected to end program protecting Dreamers"]: He wants to break up families by deporting the DREAMers.

[Photo: Protest march with banner, "Fight for DACA and immigrants"]: He cares more about the NRA than you.

[Photo: Mother with two children]: I'll take on the NRA; I'll take on big Pharma; and I'll take on Donald Trump.

[Photo: Steve sisolak at rally]: As Governor I'll stand up for Nevada and for Nevada families. [Caption: Steve Sisolak for governor.]

Adam Laxalt: Don't expand state background checks unless FBI participates

Attorney General Laxalt cautioned against doing so and deemed the measure unenforceable unless or until the federal agency agreed to conduct the checks. Initiative proponents took the matter to court, where its remained ever since.

Fast forward to 2018, when Laxalt said he "wouldn't change anything" to put the initiative in place if elected to the state's highest office. "We're in litigation on this thing right now," Laxalt said of Question 1. "But the bottom line is (proponents) wrote a bad ballot initiative, specifically to avoid a fiscal note. They didn't tell the people what this thing would've cost if they ran it through the state. Until the FBI agrees to do that, that's it."

Adam Laxalt: 1996: supported gun rights; 2018: supports gun control

That would seem to be odds with statements he's made on the campaign trail, including tweets that have decried bump stock-modified firearms as "killing machines" in need of an immediate ban. A spokeswoman said that Sisolak filled out the survey before many of the nation's worst mass shootings took place, including Columbine & Sandy Hook.

Sisolak in 2013 told the Las Vegas Sun that he supported an assault weapons ban. In 2016, he urged taking action beyond "thoughts and prayers" while attending a vigil for the victims of a shooting that left 49 people dead and 58 wounded at a gay nightclub in Orlando.

Dan Schwartz: Implement voter-approved expanded background checks