2020 TX Senate race: on Gun Control


MJ Hegar: Supports policies that are pragmatic & enforceable

Hegar said she would not "pander to one side or another" on the issue of firearm-related deaths, but will only support policies that she thinks will "move the needle on gun violence" and will be "pragmatic" and "enforceable." She said that universal background checks would be more effective than confiscation.
Source: The Texan on 2020 Texas Senate race Jun 8, 2020

MJ Hegar: Eager to finally put an end to senseless gun violence

As a gun violence survivor, mom of two young boys, and responsible gun owner, this is personal to me. Enough is enough. We must pass common-sense gun safety legislation to require background checks on every single gun sale, including closing the gun show loophole--a proposal that the majority of Texans support. We must pass red flag laws limiting access to firearms for domestic abusers--including closing the "boyfriend loophole." We must fully fund the CDC to reverse the damage of the decades-long ban on gun violence research. We must stop selling assault rifles that were intended for war. We must call on state and local officials to end open carry. We can enact these policies if we make our voices heard. I am proud to be endorsed by gun safety groups like Giffords and the Brady PAC, and I'm eager to join these front line organizations to finally put an end to senseless gun violence.
Source: The Yale Politic e-zine on 2020 Texas Senate race Apr 2, 2020

MJ Hegar: Reverse ban on gun violence research by CDC

I will use my perspective as a mother, responsible gun owner and combat veteran in my work to pass urgently needed legislation to protect our communities, including passing commonsense gun safety legislation to require background checks on every single gun sale, fully funding the CDC [Centers for Disease Control] to reverse the damage of the decades long ban on gun violence research, stopping the sale of weapons of war like assault rifles, and ending open carry.
Source: The Texas Tribune on 2020 Texas Senate race Feb 12, 2020

MJ Hegar: For background checks, red flag laws; end open carry

We must pass common-sense gun safety legislation to require background checks on every gun sale, including closing the gun show loophole. We must stop the sale of assault weapons to the public, pass red flag laws, and fully fund the CDC to reverse the ban on gun violence research.

I am also calling for state and local officials to end open carry. The reasons gun owners like me have for wanting to protect our Second Amendment rights are not served by open carry.

Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website MJforTexas.com Jan 20, 2020

Sema Hernandez: Use Commerce Clause to regulate gun sales & manufacturing

I will utilize the Commerce Clause to regulate gun sales and manufacturing. I will introduce and/or support legislation which will require mandatory universal background checks, close gun show loopholes, outlaw the sale of assault weapons, end the manufacturing of ammunition for assault weapons, and protect the rights of gun owners, while offering voluntary buy-backs. There is no legal or rational reason not to require registration of guns in the event a crime is committed with the weapon.
Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website, Sema4Texas.com Jan 12, 2020

Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez: Advocates for gun legislation majority of Americans support

Cristina believes our representatives should fight for victims of gun violence and their families, and Texans that are demanding change, and not the NRA. Cristina has endorsed the Peace Plan for a Safer America. Cristina will advocate for gun legislation that the majority of Americans support, including universal background checks, banning and buying back assault weapons like AR-15s and AK-47s, and holding the gun lobby accountable for the harm they have done to our communities.
Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website CristinaForTexas.com Dec 19, 2019

Royce West: We must regulate deadly weapons

My position on gun reform has been clear for over 30 years. In the 1990's I authored bills on both universal background checks and an assault weapons ban. Since the 90's, I have remained consistent in my unwavering belief that we must regulate deadly weapons. I support universal background checks, banning weapons of war, red flag laws, and limiting magazine capacity. We need brave legislators in Washington to take on the NRA.
Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website RoyceWest.com Dec 19, 2019

Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez: Ban assault style weapons, pass background checks

When it comes to gun control, TzintzŁn Ramirez said she was the best shot in her family growing up and supports protecting the second amendment, but she said she also supports mandatory gun buybacks. "I've been waiting my entire adult life to see Congress do very basic things like pass universal background checks, banning assault style weapons and instead we've been teaching a generation of young people to play dead in their classrooms," TzintzŁn Ramirez said.
Source: KXAN-TV NBC on 2020 Texas Senate race Nov 10, 2019

MJ Hegar: Ban assault weapons, but no mandatory buyback

Like many Democrats, Hegar supports a ban on sales of AR-15s, AK-47s and similar assault-style weapons. That was the stance Beto O'Rourke took last year when he tried to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz, and which he stuck with for months as a presidential contender
Source: Dallas Morning News on 2020 Texas Senate race Oct 30, 2019

Chris Bell: Universal background checks; buyback assault weapons

The Democratic candidates for Senate agreed on the need for legislation to end gun violence but differed on whether such laws were possible in a Republican-controlled chamber.

"Nothing is going to get done," said former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell, who said he supports universal background checks and a buyback program for assault weapons. "It speaks to how broken our democracy is. Until you elect more independently minded people, nothing is going to change."

Source: Dallas Morning News on 2020 Texas Senate debate Sep 5, 2019

Chris Bell: Ban assault weapons, with mandatory buyback

The Democratic candidates for Senate agreed on the need for legislation to end gun violence but differed on whether such laws were possible in a Republican-controlled chamber.

"Nothing is going to get done," said former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell, who said he supports universal background checks and a buyback program for assault weapons. "It speaks to how broken our democracy is. Until you elect more independently minded people, nothing is going to change."

"Military-style semiautomatic assault weapons have no place in our homes, within our neighborhoods or on our city streets," he said. "I am in 100% agreement with Beto O'Rourke that a ban and buyback program for assault weapons is needed for lasting results that will keep Texas families and communities safer."

Source: Dallas Morning News on 2020 Texas Senate debate Sep 5, 2019

Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez: We all want background checks & ban on weapons of war

MJ Hegar's rivals pounced after she rejected Beto O'Rourke's call for mandatory buybacks of assault weapons--reflecting a major fault line in the field of Democrats angling to take down Sen. John Cornyn next year.

Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez rejected Hegar's stance. "Without a mandatory buyback program, we're leaving weapons of war in our communities. That's a recipe for violence," she argued on Twitter. "Our children's lives are on the line. This isn't a time for political caution." campaign, noting that her 2-year-old son is at risk. "The most harrowing place I will ever take him is his kindergarten classroom," she said.

"These policies are not controversial," Tzintzun Ramirez said of universal background checks and a ban on weapons of war. "We do not have elected officials that are willing to enact the will of the majority of Americans. If we do not have elected officials that are willing to actually represent the will of the American people, then we elect people that do."

Source: Dallas Morning News on 2020 Texas Senate debate Sep 5, 2019

Royce West: We can legislate on guns when we turn Texas blue

Dallas said it was possible to work with Republicans on gun violence issues, saying that "he's not tired yet," when it comes to legislative maneuvering. He said beating incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn and turning Texas blue would help speed the process.

"That is a perspective. That's not my perspective," West said after Bell's remarks. "My perspective is that we can get this done. We must get this done, when we turn Texas blue, I assure you that we will be able to get something done."

Source: Dallas Morning News on 2020 Texas Senate debate Sep 5, 2019

Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez: Ban assault weapons, with mandatory buyback

MJ Hegar's rivals pounced after she rejected Beto O'Rourke's call for mandatory buybacks of assault weapons--reflecting a major fault line in the field of Democrats angling to take down Sen. John Cornyn next year.

Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez rejected Hegar's stance. "Without a mandatory buyback program, we're leaving weapons of war in our communities. That's a recipe for violence," she argued on Twitter. "Our children's lives are on the line. This isn't a time for political caution."

Source: Dallas Morning News on 2020 Texas Senate race Aug 12, 2019

  • The above quotations are from 2020 Texas Senatorial race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Gun Control.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Texas on Gun Control.
  • Click here for more quotes by John Cornyn on Gun Control.
Candidates and political leaders on Gun Control:

Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 24, 2020