State of South Carolina secondary Archives: on Gun Control

Bill Richardson: The 2nd Amendment is precious

A: The first point I’d want to make is my sincerest condolences to the families of those loved ones that perished. It was an unspeakable tragedy. You’re right; I’m a Westerner. The 2nd Amendment is precious in the West. But I want to just state for the record, a vast majority of gun owners are law-abiding. This is an issue that deals with two fundamental problems in our system. The first is mental illness. We should ensure that all federal and state initiatives deal with making sure those with mental illnesses cannot get a gun. We should find ways to ensure that our schools get the help that they need to detect these mentally ill patients. Secondly, I’m for instant background checks. We have to make sure states are properly funded to be able to detect those problems.

Elizabeth Warren: Treat gun violence as the public health emergency it is

Hillary Clinton: Background check system could prevent Virginia Tech massacre

A: Yes. You know, I remember very well when I accompanied Bill to Columbine after that massacre and met with the family members of those who had been killed and talked with the students, and feeling that we had to do more to try to keep guns out of the hands of the criminal and of the mentally unstable. And during the Clinton administration, that was a goal--not to, in any way, violate people's Second Amendment rights, but to try to limit access to people who should not have guns. Unfortunately, we saw the tragedy unfold at Virginia Tech. We now know that the background check system didn't work, because certainly this shooter, as he's called, had been involuntarily committed as a threat to himself and others. And, yet, he could walk in and buy a gun.

Hillary Clinton: FactCheck: VA Tech shooter not declared a danger to others

That's only half true. It's correct that Seung-hui Cho had a court-documented history of mental illness that should have precluded his purchase of a firearm. And he was indeed found to present "an imminent danger to himself as a result of mental illness" in a ruling dated December 14, 2005. But the Judge did not check a box that would have declared Cho "an imminent danger to others." Moreover, the judge declined to involuntarily commit Cho and sent him to outpatient counseling. Clinton's confusion on this might stem from bad reporting by some news outlets that said Cho was found to be a danger to himself and others.

Jaime Harrison: Endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety for gun-sense majority

"Everytown is going all-in to flip the Senate and elect leaders who will treat America's gun violence epidemic like the crisis it is," the Everytown President said. The group has targeted a number of key races in the House and Senate, emphasizing the need to protect what it calls a "gun sense majority," which is mostly comprised of Democratic candidates.

Joe Biden: Keep assault weapons ban; close gun show loophole

[Show of hands]: Senator Gravel, Senator Biden, Senator Dodd, Governor Richardson, Congressman Kucinich.

Q: Sen. Biden, what could the federal government have done to save those kids at Virginia Tech?

A: What they could have done is three things.

1. In the so-called Biden crime bill, we put 100,000 cops on the street. I've worked with law enforcement for the past 30 years, with armor-piercing bullets, waiting periods, etc. But the one thing that's clear: We should not have let the assault weapons ban lapse.
2. We should close this so-called gun show loophole, so you can't go into a gun show and buy a gun that you couldn't buy walking into a gun shop.
3. We have let the country down in the way in which we have not focused on mental illness. We should know that your kid is safe at college. If teachers determine that a child is a danger, the school should be able to take them off the campus.

Joyce Dickerson: Right to guns, but address issues of gun violence

"I have a gun. I don't know how to shoot it, but I have one," Pavilack said.

"I believe South Carolina is ready for a woman like me," Dickerson said. "I have paid my dues."

Kevin Bryant: Wants schools to have ability to shoot back in defense

Krystle Matthews: Gun owner, strong advocate for gun reform laws

Lee Bright: Opposes more gun restrictions

Bright: Strongly Disagree

Mia McLeod: AR-15s shouldn't be in the hands of civilians

Mitt Romney: Supports Second Amendment rights but also assault weapon ban

A: Let's get the record straight. First of all, there's no question that I support 2nd Amendment rights, but I also support an assault weapon ban. Look, I've been governor in a pretty tough state. You've heard of blue states. In the toughest of blue states, I made the toughest decisions and did what was right for America. I have conservative values.

Richard Burr: Hunter and sportsman; teach heritage & respect for firearms

I am also one of the leading supporters of Second Amendment rights in the House of Representatives. Like my friends at the National Rifle Association, I believe that gun-banning is wrong and I have always fought to protect the rights of gun owners. That is why I have consistently received "A" ratings from the National Rifle Association while serving in Congress.

When guns get into the hands of criminals, I also believe in punishing them to the full extent of what the law will allow. I have consistently voted to strengthen the ability of law enforcement to deal with criminals and those who bring firearms onto school property.

Thomas Dixon: Close the gun show loophole and the Charleston Loophole

Gun Violence Prevention:
• Brady Background Checks need to be expanded to cover all gun sales regardless of where they occur and whom they are between. This means closing the "gun show loophole" that currently allows online and low volume sellers to sell guns legally without running a background check on the buyer.
• The "Charleston Loophole" must also be closed. This loophole allows people who have not passed background checks to obtain firearms after waiting only 3 days.

Tim Scott: Don't rush to judgment on gun control after school shootings

SCOTT: To rush to judgment, I think, is a bit premature on what we should do. We should take a very serious look at whatever it takes to keep our kids safe at school. We don't know what that is yet.

Q: But would you be in favor of changing some laws, like, for example, banning these assault weapons?

SCOTT: I would love to see what comes out of the committee [which Obama has just appointed], with Vice President Biden putting together a holistic approach, looking at the opportunities to seriously address all the issues of mental illness to other issues, understanding what happened and why. After we have those answers, we'll be in a much better position to decide the path forward.

Tim Scott: Opposes more gun restrictions

Scott: Disagree