State of Arkansas Archives: on Gun Control
Asa Hutchinson:
Opposes more gun restrictions
Question topic: More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety.
Hutchinson: Strongly Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2013 Arkansas Governor campaign
Sep 28, 2014
Bruce Westerman:
No background checks, no licensing, for concealed carry
Q: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?A: No.
Q: Do you support requiring background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
A: No.
Q: Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support requiring a license for gun possession?
A: No.
Source: Arkansas Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Chris Jones:
For common sense laws while protecting 2nd amendment rights
Chris Jones values the need for a measured and productive discussion that addresses the issues the need to address a major public health issue
and need for common sense measures to reduce unnecessary violence, while protecting the constitutional right to own guns.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Governor campaign website ChrisForGovernor.com
May 26, 2022
Conner Eldridge:
Enforce the gun laws already on the books
Eldridge issued the following statement in response to Pres. Obama proposing a series of executive orders on gun violence: "I disagree with the President bypassing Congress, but I also blame a dysfunctional Congress that has failed to act. Everyone in
Washington should do their jobs and enact bipartisan legislation that defends and secures the rights of lawful gun owners under the Second Amendment and makes it tougher for criminals, those with mental health conditions, and terrorists to obtain weapons
"As a senator and a strong advocate for the Second Amendment, I would work to encourage what I did as a prosecutor: enforcing the gun laws already on the books. I would also work to find long-term legislative solutions that improve the
background check system, strengthen mental health treatment in this country and keep weapons out of the hands of suspected terrorists -- and all while defending the constitutional rights of law-abiding American citizens."
Source: 2016 Arkansas Senate campaign website ConnerForArkansas.com
Apr 1, 2016
Curtis Coleman:
Champion of our 2nd Amendment rights
2nd Amendment and Gun Rights: As an NRA and NAGR member and avid sportsman,
I will be a champion of our 2nd Amendment rights. I will oppose any attempts to ban guns, ban ammunition, or to create a national gun registry.
Source: 2016 Arkansas Senate campaign website, CurtisColeman.com
Nov 11, 2015
Dan Whitfield:
Disarming citizens against everything America stands for
We should also be supplying trigger locks for every firearm purchased. This would keep weapons in the proper hands, and out of the hands of people unfit to wield them.
I do not believe that the Government should be relieving law-abiding citizens of their right to own a firearm.
Source: 2020 Arkansas Senate campaign website DanWhitCongress.us
Nov 30, 2019
Dan Whitfield:
Disarming citizens unconstitutional, but check backgrounds
Disarming citizens and taking our guns goes against everything that America stands for and is unconstitutional. [But] a person can purchase a firearm without undergoing a background check and this needs to be fixed.
We need to provide, enforce, and properly fund background checks in order to prevent the wrong people from being able to legally purchase firearms. I do not support bans on possession or transport of firearms.
Source: 2020 Arkansas Senate campaign website DanWhitCongress.us
Jun 8, 2020
Jared Henderson:
No guns on campus; won't commit yet on open carry
He's said in other interviews he's a 2nd Amendment supporter and was more troubled by the overriding of local control in the campus carry legislation than the guns themselves. He didn't believe there should be firearms on campus and "neither do
leaders of those communities." He said he hasn't yet studied the debate of whether Arkansas should allow open carry of firearms. He calls himself a moderate on guns. "Almost everyone in my family owns a gun," he said. Not Henderson himself, however.
Source: Arkansas Times on 2018 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Dec 22, 2017
Josh Mahony:
Mental health reform; but how do we do it?
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton wants to pass legislation aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill. "I hope we can agree that we need better mental health procedures and policies in this country," Cotton, R-Ark., said at the Arkansas
Sheriff's Association meeting.Joshua Mahony said he likes Cotton's approach to try to prevent the mentally ill from getting a firearm. Mahony said he wants to hear more information on how it can be accomplished.
Source: Arkansas Democrat Gazette on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Jul 27, 2019
Josh Mahony:
Mental health reform, but we need Congress to pass it
Sen. Tom Cotton wants to pass legislation aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill. "We need better mental health procedures and policies in this country," Cotton said. He called for Congress to make it easier to go to a judge and
present evidence from family members or neighbors that a young person shouldn't have access to firearms.Joshua Mahony said he likes Cotton's approach to try to prevent the mentally ill from getting a firearm. Mahony said he wants to hear more
information on how it can be accomplished.
Congress has proven unable to pass substantial gun violence legislation this session, in large part because of resistance from Republicans, particularly in the GOP-controlled Senate.
After other mass
shootings, President Donald Trump called for strengthening the federal background check system, and in 2018 he signed legislation to increase federal agency data sharing. But he has resisted Democratic calls to toughen other gun control laws.
Source: Arkansas Democrat Gazette on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Aug 6, 2019
Leslie Rutledge:
A proud Christian, pro-life, gun-carrying conservative Momma
Rutledge is the first Republican and first female elected Attorney General of Arkansas. Rutledge has built a record of accomplishments with her conservative leadership.
She's a proud Christian, pro-life, gun-carrying conservative Momma!
Source: 2021 Arkansas Governor campaign website LeslieRutledge.com
Apr 6, 2021
Mark West:
Absolute right to gun ownership
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Absolute right to gun ownership"?
A: Support
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arkansas governor candidate
Apr 28, 2018
Mike Huckabee:
Supports self-defense and ‘castle doctrine'
Gov. Mike Huckabee said that he would support legislation in Arkansas for a law like one passed in Florida last year to protect citizens who use deadly force in self-defense against criminal prosecution and civil liability. Huckabee told a caller to
his monthly radio show that he has a permit to carry a concealed weapon and believes "there is an absolute right that people have to protect themselves and even their property."During the show, a caller asked the governor what he thought of
Florida's so-called "Castle Doctrine." Passed last year, the law states that any person has the right to "stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death
or great bodily harm." The name of the law is drawn from the adage that a man's home is his castle. "Personally, I think it's the way it ought to be," Huckabee said. "We ought to have the right to protect ourselves."
Source: Rob Moritz, Arkansas News Bureau
Jan 5, 2006
Natalie James:
Ban AR-15 weapons & raise purchasing age
Natalie James of Little Rock, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, said she supports a ban on AR-15 weapons. James added that she is also in support of raising the purchasing age for
AR-15 weapons, saying the shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde would not have taken place if the age requirement was higher.
Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on 2022 Arkansas Senate race
Jun 5, 2022
Nathan LaFrance:
Attempts at building a federal gun registry are wrong
As your U.S. Senator, Nathan LaFrance will vote AGAINST any bill which seeks to place federal gun controls and restrictions on the American people. 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!
Source: 2014 Arkansas Senate campaign website, LaFrance2014.com
Sep 30, 2014
Ricky Dale Harrington:
Right of people to bear arms "shall not be infringed"
Q: What's your stance on gun rights?A: The right of people to keep and bear arms "shall not be infringed."
Q: Please tell me you don't support unfettered access to guns. The founders *never* intended for us to be armed to the teeth.
A: Alexander Hamilton died from a duel....
Source: Facebook posting on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Nov 25, 2019
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Defend your second amendment right to keep your family safe
As governor, I will defend your right to be free of socialism and tyranny, your second amendment right to keep your family safe, and your freedom of speech and religious liberty.
Our state needs a leader with the courage to do what's right, not what's politically correct or convenient.
Source: Rev.com e-zine on 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial race
Nov 12, 2020
Tom Cotton:
Mental health reform; but how do we do it?
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton wants to pass legislation aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill. "I hope we can agree that we need better mental health procedures and policies in this country," Cotton, R-Ark., said at the Arkansas
Sheriff's Association meeting.[Cotton's 2020 opponent] Joshua Mahony said he likes Cotton's approach to try to prevent the mentally ill from getting a firearm. Mahony said he wants to hear more information on how it can be accomplished.
Source: Arkansas Democrat Gazette on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Jul 27, 2019
Tom Cotton:
Mental health reform to block access to firearms
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton wants to pass legislation aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill. "I hope we can agree that we need better mental health procedures and policies in this country," Cotton, R-Ark., said at the Arkansas
Sheriff's Association meeting. He called for Congress to make it easier for law enforcement and others to go to a judge and present evidence from family members or neighbors that a young person shouldn't have access to firearms. "Many states have
done that as well. I think we should take a look at that," he said.
Joshua Mahony said he likes Cotton's approach to try to prevent the mentally ill from getting a firearm. Mahony said he wants to hear more information on how it can be accomplished.
Congress has proven unable to pass substantial gun violence legislation this session, in large part because of resistance from Republicans, particularly in the GOP-controlled Senate.
Source: Arkansas Democrat Gazette on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Aug 6, 2019
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023