The Boston Globe: on Gun Control


Angus King: Supports gun rights

King would pass a general Democratic litmus test: He is prochoice on abortion, supports gay marriage, backs President Obama's health care law, and opposes GOP efforts to transform Medicare into a voucher program.

But he insists that he has conservative values when it comes to fiscal responsibility. "I think you should have a 'pay-as-you-go' system,'' he said. Also, he supports gun rights and endorsed George W. Bush in 2000 (although not for reelection).

Source: Boston Globe, "Independent", on 2012 Maine Senate Debates Apr 19, 2012

Mike Bloomberg: 2006: Created Mayors Against Illegal Guns; now 600 mayors

In 2006, Menino and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg created Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a coalition that advocates for stricter gun-control laws and now includes more than 600 mayors from 40 states. Menino touted the Boston's recent success in this area, telling reporters that police have taken more than 360 illegal guns off the streets.
Source: Alex Katz in Boston Globe, "Stricter Checks" Nov 15, 2011

Tom Menino: 2006: Created Mayors Against Illegal Guns; now 600 mayors

Victims of gun violence joined Mayor Thomas Menino today to pressure lawmakers to vastly improve background checks for gun purchases. Menino called on legislators to ensure that people with records of mental illness and drug abuse are added to a nationa database of prohibited purchasers. "It's time to make a decision to protect the American people," Menino said. "We have no political agenda--only a life-saving one."

In 2006, Menino and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg created Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a coalition that advocates for stricter gun-control laws and now includes more than 600 mayors from 40 states. Menino touted the Boston's recent success in this area, telling reporters that police have taken more than 360 illegal guns off the streets. But the mayor stressed that the issue extends far beyond the city, and even the Bay State. "We need national leadership to fix a broken background-check system," he said.

Source: Alex Katz in Boston Globe, "Stricter Checks" Nov 15, 2011

Elizabeth Warren: Supports gun control

Warren staked out traditional liberal Democratic positions on several big issues: She supports abortion rights, gun control, and gay marriage, but she opposes casinos. But she declined to offer specifics on where she differs with Brown or Obama.
Source: Boston Globe, Noah Bierman and Frank Phillips Aug 31, 2011

Steve Lynch: Voted against assault weapons ban

Lynch cast several votes against an assault weapons ban in 1996. “Let’s not get sidetracked by feel-good legislation,” he said on the Senate floor.
Source: Boston Globe, p. B4 Sep 7, 2001

Steve Lynch: Supports some gun rights, some gun control

Lynch has consistently received B grades from the Gun Owners’ Action League, a Massachusetts gun-rights group. Still, Lynch is hardly a friend of the National Rifle Association. In 1997 and 1998, Lynch, whose cousin was shot to death in 1996, cast votes in support of the very legislation [which his pro-gun-control opponent in the primaries] describes as “the toughest gun control law in the nation.”
Source: Boston Globe, p. B4 Sep 7, 2001

Gary Bauer: Focus on our hearts, not “instruments”

An opponent of gun control, Bauer said new laws would only “focus on things and instruments instead of what happens in the hearts of our kids.” Hollywood promotes violence, he said. The justice system forbids prayer in schools. And Washington “gives us platitudes.
Source: Boston Globe, Thursday April 22, 1999, p.A21 Apr 22, 1999

  • The above quotations are from Media coverage of MA political races in The Boston Globe.
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2020 Presidential contenders 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)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
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)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
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 11, 2020