State of California secondary Archives: on Gun Control


Barbara Boxer: Assault weapon ban has kept people safe

Fiorina restated her opposition to the federal assault weapons ban, saying the law is vague and ineffective. "We have loads of laws, and most of the time, criminals are breaking those laws and we are curtailing citizens' lawful rights to carry guns," she said. "The assault weapons ban is extremely arbitrary about what qualifies as an assault weapon."

Boxer countered that such bans have kept people safe. "To go back to that dangerous yesterday makes no sense," she said. "It has bipartisan support."

Source: Los Angeles Times coverage of 2010 CA Senate Debate Sep 2, 2010

Carly Fiorina: Opposed 1994 assault weapon ban; opposes no-fly list gun ban

The no-fly list is still an issue. The election, Boxer said, "is a choice between someone who is working to keep our airlines safe and working to keep guns out the hands of terrorists, versus someone who believes that those on the suspected terrorist no-fly list should be able to buy a gun--any gun."

Fiorina dismissed Boxer's recent focus on gun control--including Fiorina's opposition to the 1994 assault weapons ban--as a "desperate attempt" to distract voters from the real issues that concern them, including the dismal economy and need for job creation. Fiorina sidestepped a question about her support for allowing people on the federal government's no-fly list to purchase firearms. "Barbara Boxer knows perfectly well the difference between the terrorist watch list and the no-fly list, and if she doesn't know the difference, then that's really a problem," Fiorina said. "It was Boxer who voted to give constitutional rights to terrorists. Boxer's record on national security is fairly weak."

Source: L.A. Times PolitiCal coverage of 2010 CA Senate Debate Oct 18, 2010

Carly Fiorina: Let people on no-fly list purchase guns; it's poorly managed

The debate between Boxer and Fiorina over the no-fly list emerged after a May primary debate in Los Angeles at which the moderator asked Fiorina and her then-opponents whether people on the "no-fly watch list" should "be allowed to purchase a gun."

Fiorina said they should: "The no-fly list has been, unfortunately, way too large, and I know people who have been on it who have been stopped and if we permit anyone who is on that no-fly list to have their 2nd Amendment rights taken away from them, that's a terrible problem," she said.

During a subsequent debate with Boxer in September in Moraga, Fiorina asserted that her sister-in-law, a friend's husband and the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts had all been on the no-fly list, which she added "isn't particularly well managed."

But Fiorina was mistaken at least in part, according to a TSA myth-fact document: Kennedy was never on the no-fly list--but his name closely matched that of someone on the watch list.

Source: L.A. Times PolitiCal coverage of 2010 CA Senate Debate Oct 18, 2010

Carly Fiorina: Assault weapon ban is arbitrary about which weapons qualify

Fiorina restated her opposition to the federal assault weapons ban, saying the law is vague and ineffective. "We have loads of laws, and most of the time, criminals are breaking those laws and we are curtailing citizens' lawful rights to carry guns," she said. "The assault weapons ban is extremely arbitrary about what qualifies as an assault weapon."

Boxer countered that such bans have kept people safe. "To go back to that dangerous yesterday makes no sense," she said. "It has bipartisan support."

Source: Los Angeles Times coverage of 2010 CA Senate Debate Sep 2, 2010

Dianne Feinstein: Gun lobby has too much power in Washington

Q: Which special interests in Washington have too much power?

Dianne Feinstein: Guns. I wrote the assault weapons ban that was the law of the land for a decade. Now the National Rifle Association essentially has a stranglehold on Congress. I also believe the big oil companies enjoy outsize influence and protection in Washington.

Source: Sacramento Bee Voter Guide: 2012 CA Senate debate May 31, 2012

Jimmy Panetta: Mental illness is often the root of gun violence

Mental illness touches all of our families and communities. Whether it's the challenges we face from gun violence, Veterans returning from combat with service related illnesses, or homelessness--mental health is often the root of the problem. Based on his work in the criminal justice system, Jimmy witnessed the untold suffering and unmet needs of those with mental health issues. Jimmy believes that we need to break down the stigma of seeking treatment for mental disorders, expand access for care, get the homeless off the streets and into housing with supportive services, and to support people in their road to recovery. We must also expand treatment in our VA Clinics and develop more community mental health centers on the Central Coast. Jimmy's goal is to ensure that we include mental health care in our schools for early intervention and in our substance abuse treatment programs--and ultimately make mental health programs both accessible and affordable.
Source: 2016 CA House campaign website JimmyPanettaForCongress.com Nov 8, 2016

Kevin Faulconer: Keep California's tight restrictions, no need for changes

On gun control, Faulconer differs from other candidates. He's OK with California's tight restrictions and doesn't want to weaken or strengthen them.
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2021 CA recall race Jul 19, 2021

Kevin Paffrath: We're as far away from the Second Amendment as you can get

California is about as far away from the Second Amendment as you can get. I'm in favor of reasonable gun rules and concealed carry permits by right to trained, lawful gun owners. I believe the California handgun roster and California-compliant weapons rules are broken rules that have led to surges in gun sales prior to the passing of new gun laws, don't function to prevent crime, and lead to less tax revenue by encouraging citizens to drive guns over state borders to circumvent California laws.
Source: San Diego Union-Tribune on 2021 CA recall race Aug 13, 2021

Laura Smith: Revoke or veto laws assaulting gun ownership rights

Government corruption has assaulted the peoples' Constitutional rights guaranteed to the citizens by the 2nd Amendment of their "right to keep and bear arms". If elected your Governor, I not only support your right to keep and bear arms, I will revoke unconstitutional laws assaulting your gun ownership rights and veto any legislation of the same effect. Law-abiding citizens understand the value to protect their families, person, & property against criminals--the key to ensuring crime is well-hindered.
Source: 2022 CA Governor campaign site LauraSmithForCAgovernor.com Aug 2, 2021

  • The above quotations are from State of California Politicians: secondary Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Gun Control.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2016 Presidential contenders on Gun Control:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023