Topics in the News: Second Amendment
Beto O`Rourke on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Nov 21, 2021)
We don't want extremism in our gun laws
I have been listening to my fellow Texans who are concerned about this idea of permitless carry that Greg Abbott has signed into law, which allows any Texan to carry a loaded firearm, despite the pleadings of police chiefs and law enforcement from
across the state, who said it would make their jobs more dangerous. We don't want extremism in our gun laws. We want to protect the Second Amendment. We want to protect the lives of our fellow Texans.
Click for Beto O`Rourke on other issues.
Source: CNN SOTU 2021 interview of Texas Gubernatorial Candidate
Ted Cruz on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Feb 26, 2021)
No rioters came to Houston because of Second Amendment
When we saw riots all across the country, I remember there were reports that riots were going to come into. Mostly peaceful, fiery, but mostly peaceful. There were reports, riots were going to come into the suburbs. I got to tell you, in Houston, where
I live, there weren't any rioters. Because, let's be very clear, if there had been, they would discover what the state of Texas thinks about the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: Remarks by Senator Cruz at 2021 CPAC Conference
Amy Coney Barrett on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Sep 22, 2020)
No blanket authorization to take guns from felons
Barnett said a lecture held by Hillsdale College about her dissent in the 2nd amendment rights case Cantor v Barr, "There was no blanket authorization to take guns, the right to possess a gun from someone who committed a felony. That sounds kind of
radical, to say felons can have firearms, but I think it's because what the longstanding prohibitions were and had been even under federal law until more recently, was that violent felons couldn't have firearms. There's been a longstanding practice--
what the history showed me--is of those who pose a threat to the community cannot have firearms. And that makes sense, history is consistent with common sense. Those who would be risky with guns, who would pose danger with guns, then the state can take
guns away. But in the instance of someone in which the state has not shown that the person has demonstrated any risk, the mere status of committing a felony, I found no historical support that said the state was then justified in taking it away.
Click for Amy Coney Barrett on other issues.
Source: Analysis of positions in 2020 Trump Research Book
Stacey Abrams on Second Amendment:
(Government Reform Jun 9, 2020)
We don't lose gun rights by non-use; why voting rights?
The "use it or lose it" [voter policy] presumes that a failure to execute a right justifies taking it away. In 44 states, voters who failed to respond to a notice will be removed from the registration list if they do not vote, update their registration,
or take some other action specified by law from the time of the notice through two general federal election. No other right specified by our constitution permits the loss of a vote for failure to use it, to wit-- I do not lose my Second Amendment
right if I choose not to go hunting and I still have freedom of religion if I skip church now and then. Georgia secretary of state Brian Kemp strongly favored the "use it or lose it" power in Georgia, where he removed over 1.4 million voters in a
state with 6 million registered users. In July 2017, he removed more than half a million voters in a single day, reducing the number of registered voters in Georgia by 8%. An estimated 107,000 of these voters were removed through "use it or lose it".
Click for Stacey Abrams on other issues.
Source: Our Time Is Now, by Stacey Abrams, p. 66
Joe Biden on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Feb 26, 2020)
I go skeet-shooting, badly, and my sons go bird-hunting
Q: How do you propose to sell your gun reform ideas to those who either own a gun or feel strongly about protecting Second Amendment rights?BIDEN: I taught constitutional law. No amendment is absolute. None of you can stand up--[despite] the First
Amendment on free speech--and yell "fire" here; you'd be arrested. From the very beginning, the founders said, not everyone is able to have a gun and you can't have any weapon you want. That has simply never been the case. There are limitations.
I happen to have a 12-gauge shotgun and a 20-gauge shotgun, because--I haven't done it in a long time--but I skeet shoot. And I'm not very good at it, I might add. But my sons, they bird hunt. They haven't in a while. The point of the matter
is that from the very beginning you're not allowed to have any weapon you want. This idea that you're going to need an AR-15 or any other assault weapon or you need any clip, any clip that has a hundred rounds in it, is absolutely bizarre.
Click for Joe Biden on other issues.
Source: CNN S. C. Town Hall for 2020 Presidential primary
Mike Bloomberg on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Feb 26, 2020)
Second Amendment has guarantees, but gun restrictions ok
Q: What can you do to bring commonsense gun control into law and close all the loopholes with and without Congress?BLOOMBERG: Well, we have created an organization, Everytown for Gun Violence. It has six million members across the country.
A subgroup within it is something called Moms Demand Action. And what we have done so far is, we have about 20 states that now have background checks, and also red flag laws. Unfortunately, last time I checked, there were
50 states in the union, and we still have 30 to go. And it would be easier if we could do this at a federal level. The Second Amendment gives you the right to bear arms. But the Supreme Court has said, there are reasonable restrictions that we can
put on that privilege without violating the Constitution. The reasonable privileges include things like having background checks, so you don't sell guns to minors, to people with psychiatric problems, or people with criminal records.
Click for Mike Bloomberg on other issues.
Source: CNN S. C. Town Hall for 2020 Presidential primary
Joe Walsh on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Sep 24, 2019)
Arm school employees to prevent school shootings
On guns:- When he ran for Congress in 1996, Walsh said he was in favor of gun control. But when he ran as a Republican in 2010, Walsh came out in strong support of the Second Amendment.
- He co-sponsored the Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform
Act, which would have loosened restrictions on interstate gun purchases.
- In 2018, Walsh said on Sacha Baron Cohen's comedy show, "Who Is America?" that he supported a program that would arm children from ages 4 to 12.
He later denied he said that, but video footage showed Walsh repeatedly endorsed the program.
- Walsh supports arming school employees to prevent school shootings, and ending gun-free zones in schools and military bases.
-
The former Illinois congressman lauded gun rights at Business Insider's Republican debate in September. "I'm a big gun guy. I believe in the Second Amendment, plain and simple. There's no silver bullet to this issue."
Click for Joe Walsh on other issues.
Source: Business Insider background for 2019 GOP presidential debate
Joe Walsh on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Sep 24, 2019)
Federal background check at gun shows and online
Q: You're on record saying you would loosen gun restrictions. Do you have any plans to address gun violence?Walsh: I believe in the second Amendment, plain and simple. The problem we have now in this country is this are these mass shootings.
There are a lot of things we need to look at. And I am a big gun guy, but here's what our focus should be on. We don't want anybody who shouldn't have a gun to have a gun. When I leave here in about an hour if I go to a gun dealer down the street and
I want to buy a gun, I have to get a federal background check. It makes sense to me that if I buy that same gun at a gun show, I should have to undergo a federal background check. It makes the same sense to me that if I buy a gun online, I should have
to undergo the background check. It makes sense that if I buy that same gun from a friend across town I should have got a background check. I think that will help, but then we've got to really take a serious look at mental health issues in this country.
Click for Joe Walsh on other issues.
Source: Business Insider 2019 GOP presidential primary debate
Michael Bennet on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Aug 11, 2019)
Background checks work in Colorado, should work nationally
My state--which is a Western state, the Second Amendment state--passed the background checks that are waiting for Mitch McConnell to put on the floor. Every year, about 2 or 3% of the people that try to buy a gun in Colorado can't buy a gun; and they
are murderers and they are domestic abusers and they are convicted felons of violent crimes. There is nobody who could defend any of those people having a firearm. If we can do it in Colorado, certainly, we could do it nationally.
Click for Michael Bennet on other issues.
Source: CBS Face the Nation interview for Democratic 2020 Veepstakes
Tom Steyer on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jul 12, 2019)
Sympathy for gun control measures
Guns: Steyer has founded organizations have worked closely, at times, with anti-Second Amendment organizations. He is largely seen as sympathetic to gun control initiatives.
Steyer has a very thin public record of commenting on legal and judicial issues. Steyer has suggested sympathy for gun control measures that would undermine Americans' Second Amendment rights
Click for Tom Steyer on other issues.
Source: Josh Hammer, The Daily Wire, on 2019 Democratic primary
John Delaney on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jun 18, 2019)
I support the Second Amendment
Democrats have largely converged on a moderate, consensus view of gun control; we wanted to get at a deeper question of values--so we asked "In an ideal world, would anyone own handguns?" Some answers:- Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend IN.: "I
respect the desire of people to have a means of self-defense."
- Andrew Yang, Former tech executive: "Talking about a future where no one owns a handgun is, frankly, not going to match up with reality."
- Marianne Williamson, Self-help author: "I am
not for messing with the Bill of Rights."
- Eric Swalwell, Congressman from CA: "I have no problem with people owning handguns."
- John Delaney, Former congressman from MD: "We don't live in an ideal world. We live in a country where we have the
Second Amendment, which I support."
- Tim Ryan, Congressman from OH: "I believe that law-abiding citizens do have the right to protect themselves."
- Tulsi Gabbard, Congresswoman from Hawaii: "I support our Second Amendment rights."
Click for John Delaney on other issues.
Source: 2019 "Meet the Candidates" (NY Times.com)
John Delaney on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jun 18, 2019)
Not an ideal world, so supports Second Amendment
Q: In an ideal world, would anyone own handguns?
A: We don't live in an ideal world. We live in a country where we have the Second Amendment, which I support.
Click for John Delaney on other issues.
Source: 2019 "Meet the Candidates" (NY Times.com)
Tulsi Gabbard on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jun 18, 2019)
I support our Second Amendment rights
Democrats have largely converged on a moderate, consensus view of gun control; we wanted to get at a deeper question of values--so we asked "In an ideal world, would anyone own handguns?" Some answers:- Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend IN.: "I
respect the desire of people to have a means of self-defense."
- Andrew Yang, Former tech executive: "Talking about a future where no one owns a handgun is, frankly, not going to match up with reality."
- Marianne Williamson, Self-help author: "I am
not for messing with the Bill of Rights."
- Eric Swalwell, Congressman from CA: "I have no problem with people owning handguns."
- John Delaney, Former congressman from MD: "We don't live in an ideal world. We live in a country where we have the
Second Amendment, which I support."
- Tim Ryan, Congressman from OH: "I believe that law-abiding citizens do have the right to protect themselves."
- Tulsi Gabbard, Congresswoman from Hawaii: "I support our Second Amendment rights."
Click for Tulsi Gabbard on other issues.
Source: 2019 "Meet the Candidates" (NY Times.com)
Seth Moulton on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jun 18, 2019)
There's no need for weapons of war on our streets
Q: In an ideal world, would anyone own handguns?
A: "While I respect the Second Amendment, there's no need for weapons of war on our streets."
Click for Seth Moulton on other issues.
Source: 2019 "Meet the Candidates" (NY Times.com)
Cory Booker on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jun 2, 2019)
As with civil rights, we can build coalitions for gun laws
This echoes to me the civil rights movement, where people said it couldn't be done, that there were states that were standing firmly against it. But you know what happened is, we had the kind of coalitions necessary to tear down segregation.
We could muster that to do commonsense things that do not take away people's Second Amendment rights. The only people that should be afraid of the kind of legislation I'm pushing are gun runners, criminals, and the corporate gun lobby.
Click for Cory Booker on other issues.
Source: CNN State of the Union 2019 interview
Marianne Williamson on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Apr 14, 2019)
Gun laws are driven by profits of gun manufacturers
In terms of guns, I certainly understand that it's a Second Amendment right. And we know that our gun policies in the United States are not driven by Second Amendment. That's just an illusion. We don't have commonsense gun safety legislation because,
God forbid, it should cut into the short-term profits of gun manufacturers. That is immoral. The majority of the American people want universal background checks. The majority of the American people want to outlaw bump stocks. The majority of the
American people want to get these military assault rifles out of the hands of the average citizen. And until the American people realize that we need to get rid of the nefarious influence of money on our political system, if you want commonsense
gun safety legislation, you're going to not only have to vote for a president who stands for that, you're going to have to vote for congresspeople who stand for that and senators who stand for that. This issue is in your hands, not just mine.
Click for Marianne Williamson on other issues.
Source: CNN Town Hall 2020 Democratic primary
Pete Buttigieg on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Apr 7, 2019)
Common sense gun control can work under Second Amendment
Q: Do you think the Second Amendment prevents gun control?A: We've already decided within the framework of the Second Amendment that we're going to draw a line somewhere, right? "Shall not be infringed" clearly doesn't mean that you're entitled
to a nuclear weapon. There are common sense limits that a thinking society can live by, while making sure that we honor the lifestyle of sporting and the idea that people should be equipped to defend themselves if they need to.
Click for Pete Buttigieg on other issues.
Source: Meet the Press 2019 interview of 2020 presidential hopefuls
Howard Schultz on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Feb 12, 2019)
Honor Second Amendment but enact sensible gun laws
I respect and I honor the Second Amendment. But I believe is there should be some sensible approach to removing the kind of weapons that have no place in common society. I have a hard time understanding why people need to carry an
AR-15 around in the streets of where they live. I think anyone who has a criminal record, anyone who has a mental health problem, that there needs to be a lot more jurisdiction on how those people are buying weapons.
Click for Howard Schultz on other issues.
Source: CNN Town Hall: 2020 presidential hopefuls
Kamala Harris on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jan 29, 2019)
No reason we have assault weapons in a civil society
While fielding a question about gun violence, Harris called out Congress for the lack of gun control legislation. She even suggested "harsh" means to encourage Congress to introduce a new bill. Harris started her discussion about gun reform by saying:
"You can be in favor of the second amendment and also understand that there is no reason in a civil society that we have assault weapons around communities that can kill babies and police officers."
Harris became even more impassioned while discussing the inaction by congress following the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting that took the lives of 20 children between the ages 6 and 7. She said: "I think somebody should have
required all those members of Congress to go in a room, in a locked room, no press, nobody else, and look at the autopsy photographs of those babies. And then you vote your conscience."
Click for Kamala Harris on other issues.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment Video on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Beto O`Rourke on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 18, 2018)
Supports Second Amendment with sensible gun laws
I strongly support the Second Amendment. I don't want to take yours or anyone else's guns. We lose 30,000 of our fellow Americans every year to gun violence. No developed country even comes close.
We can start with areas where there is extraordinary common ground like universal background checks. We need someone who could not care less about what the NRA or the gun lobby or any other political action committee thinks.
Click for Beto O`Rourke on other issues.
Source: CNN Town Hall: 2020 presidential hopefuls
John Kasich on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Sep 18, 2018)
Learn from mass shooting tragedies and take action
John Kasich supports the Second Amendment and has signed multiple bills to protect gun rights. As a pragmatic conservative Governor Kasich also recognizes the need for common-sense solutions to our nation's problems. In recent years, our country has
been devastated by a dramatic increase in school shootings and mass killings--many with the use of semi-automatic weapons. Governor Kasich believes that we should not be afraid to learn from these tragedies and take appropriate action.
John Kasich has spoken out on the need for reasonable reforms to prevent future massacres--including the potential of expanding background checks on gun sales and limiting the ability to sell weapons that have often been used in mass killings.
The 2nd Amendment is one of the most divisive issues in our country. Leadership requires the willingness to tackle these issues and to find solutions. Our country and our children deserve that leadership.
Click for John Kasich on other issues.
Source: 2020 presidential hopefuls: campaign website JohnKasich.com
Steve Bullock on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control May 30, 2018)
Believes in 2nd Amendment, but not guns in wrong hands
In 1994, I learned my 11-year old nephew had been shot and killed in Butte, Montana. Last fall, my son shot his first deer. He was prepared. We reinforced his hunter safety course. It was a moment he and I will never forget. Both experiences shape my
views of gun policy, as a policymaker and a parent. Americans calling for restrictions on weapons want their families to be safe. Americans calling for protection of the Second Amendment want their families to be safe.
I'm a gun owner who believes in the Constitution. If we approach gun violence from the shared value of protecting our families and focus on what we have in common, we can make meaningful progress. We need to work towards a society where
mass shootings and schoolyard deaths are not only illegal, they are unheard of. Let's focus on what works. Most gun owners are law abiding, yet too often guns get into the wrong hands. That's why the first step ought to be universal background checks.
Click for Steve Bullock on other issues.
Source: Great Falls Tribune OpEd for 2020 Montana gubernatorial race
Arvin Vohra on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Mar 30, 2018)
Purpose of guns are to keep government as our servant
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Absolute right to gun ownership"?A: Guns aren't for hunting; they are for fighting government overreach. I encourage individuals to buy the most powerful automatic weapons they can afford, because the
government has pretty powerful weapons on its side.
Q: So you differ from the usual pro-Second Amendment stance that gun ownership is for self-protection? And instead focus on the need for keeping the federal government in check?
A: Government should fear the people; people should not fear the government. The government should behave like meek, respectful employees, not bosses. After all, you pay the government; the government doesn't pay you.
The government should be a fearful servant, not an aggressive master. A well-armed populace helps keep government in check. A better armed populace keeps the government in check better.
Click for Arvin Vohra on other issues.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maryland Senate candidate
Donald Trump on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Mar 28, 2018)
Remove weapons from dangerous individuals, not all Americans
President Donald Trump dismissed retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens' call to repeal the Second Amendment. Stevens, 97, moved by the March for Our Lives last weekend that drew hundreds of thousands of protesters across the country calling
for action to end gun violence, penned an op-ed published in The New York Times.Trump tweeted, "THE SECOND AMENDMENT WILL NEVER BE REPEALED! As much as Democrats would like to see this happen, and despite the words yesterday of former
Supreme Court Justice Stevens, NO WAY. We need more Republicans in 2018 and must ALWAYS hold the Supreme Court!"
When asked if Trump had a reaction to Stevens' call for repeal, Trump's press secretary
said, "We think that the focus has to remain on removing weapons from dangerous individuals, not on blocking all Americans from their constitutional rights."
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: ABC News on Twitter posting by 2018 Trump Administration
John Kasich on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Mar 25, 2018)
Significant changes, while we protect the Second Amendment
Q: Over the weekend, we saw thousands of young people marching across the country in support of stricter gun laws. Will gun supporters feel this at the ballot box?KASICH: I really do believe that. I think the people do want changes here. I think
there's three kinds of people who are involved in this gun debate, those that want no changes on guns--believe me, they're there and they're strong--and those people that think there ought to be significant changes, even while we protect the
Second Amendment. And the third group are a bunch of politicians who are afraid of their own shadows. But the fact of the matter is, it's a massive effort here. If we can keep the pressure on, we're not going to change everything overnight, but you can
get significant changes. And I hope so. And if they do not bring about change, I think people should be held absolutely accountable at the ballot box, and no question about it.
Click for John Kasich on other issues.
Source: CNN 2018 interviews of 2020 hopefuls
Donald Trump on Second Amendment:
(Principles & Values Jan 30, 2018)
Judges should just interpret law, like religious liberty
For the last year we have sought to restore the bonds of trust between our citizens and their Government. Working with the Senate, we are appointing judges who will interpret the Constitution as written, including a great new Supreme
Court Justice, and more circuit court judges than any new administration in the history of our country. We are defending our Second Amendment, and have taken historic actions to protect religious liberty.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
John Kasich on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Dec 27, 2017)
Supports state reciprocity and concealed carry
Gov. John R. Kasich continues to be a strong supporter of the right to bear arms and, as governor, has signed every pro-2nd amendment bill that has crossed his desk to defend this basic, constitutional right.- Kasich is a gun-owner himself, and in
his 2014 reelection was endorsed by the NRA for his support of the Second Amendment as an inviolate part of our Constitution.
- Removing Burdensome Restrictions for Law-Abiding Concealed Carry Licensees: Kasich enacted legislation protecting
Ohio's concealed carry laws, including allowing for reciprocity licenses with other states where permit holders can carry their firearms.
- Opposing Obama's Gun Control Efforts: John Kasich opposes President Obama's gun control executive orders.
His efforts to expand the federal government's interference with Americans' Right to Keep and Bear Arms are wrong and the governor opposes them.
Click for John Kasich on other issues.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website, JohnKasich.com
Donald Trump on Second Amendment:
(Principles & Values Mar 2, 2017)
Supports religious liberty, and the motto, "In God We Trust"
Every day, we're restoring common sense and the timeless values that unite us all. We believe in the Constitution and the rule of law. We believe in the First Amendment right. And we believe in religious liberty.
And we believe strongly in the Second Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms which is under siege, folks. They have a lot of plans.
It's under siege. Be careful. But I'll protect you, I promise you that. I'll protect you. Because it all has to come through my office. And we hopefully are going to be here for six more years, so you're in good shape.
We believe in the American Dream, not in the socialist nightmare. And we believe in the words of our national motto: In God We Trust.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: Speech at the 2019 CPAC Convention
Ted Cruz on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 26, 2016)
Purpose of Second Amendment is protection against tyranny
[Former Congressman and radio talk-show host] Joe Walsh took to Twitter [prior to the 2016 election] to announce his post-election day plans. "On November 9th," he wrote, "if Trump loses, I'm grabbing my musket. You in?"It may be tempting to write
off Walsh's latest proclamation. But this sentiment--that a Donald Trump loss might justify the violent overthrow of a Hillary Clinton administration--is a longtime GOP talking point. The NRA has longed peddled the "insurrectionist" theory of the Second
Amendment, arguing that the right to bear arms was intended to protect citizens against a tyrannical ruler.
This insurrectionist theory has gained a foothold in the Republican Party. During his campaign for the presidential nomination, Texas
Republican Ted Cruz asserted that the Second Amendment provides "a Constitutional right to protect your children, your family, your home, our lives, and to serve as the ultimate check against governmental tyranny--for the protection of liberty."
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: Slate.com, "Grabbing My Musket," on 2018 Texas Senate race
Joe Walsh on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 26, 2016)
Purpose of Second Amendment is protection against tyranny
Joe Walsh took to Twitter [prior to the 2016 election] to announce his post-election day plans. "On November 9th," he wrote, "if Trump loses, I'm grabbing my musket. You in?"Walsh frequently says horrific things on Twitter, and it may be tempting to
write off this latest proclamation. But this sentiment--that a Donald Trump loss might justify the violent overthrow of a Hillary Clinton administration--is really just the logical endpoint of a longtime GOP talking point. The National Rifle Association
has longed peddled the "insurrectionist" theory of the Second Amendment, arguing that the right to bear arms was intended to protect citizens against a tyrannical ruler.
Although this insurrectionist theory is foreign to the Supreme Court's
interpretation of the Second Amendment, it's gained a foothold in the Republican Party. In a follow-up tweet, Walsh clarified that he was encouraging "protesting. Participating in acts of civil disobedience. Doing what it takes to get our country back."
Click for Joe Walsh on other issues.
Source: Slate.com, "Grab My Musket," on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Donald Trump on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 19, 2016)
We need Supreme Court to stand up for the 2nd Amendment
We need a Supreme Court that in my opinion is going to uphold the Second Amendment, and all amendments, but the Second Amendment, which is under absolute siege. I believe if my opponent should win this race, which I truly don't think will happen, we
will have a Second Amendment which will be a very, very small replica of what it is right now. But I feel that it's absolutely important that we uphold, because of the fact that it is under such trauma. The justices that I'm going to appoint will be
pro-life. They will have a conservative bent. They will be protecting the Second Amendment. They are great scholars in all cases, and they're people of tremendous respect. They will interpret the Constitution the way the founders wanted it interpreted.
And I believe that's very, very important.I don't think we should have justices appointed that decide what they want to hear. It's all about the Constitution the way it was meant to be. And those are the people that I will appoint.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: Third 2016 Presidential Debate in Las Vegas
Hillary Clinton on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 19, 2016)
I believe in 2nd amendment but 33,000 people died from guns
Dozens of toddlers injure themselves, even kill people with guns, because not everyone who has loaded guns in their homes takes appropriate precautions. But there's no doubt that I respect the 2nd Amendment, that I also believe there's an individual
right to bear arms. That is not in conflict with sensible, commonsense regulation. Of course we're going to protect and defend the 2nd Amendment. But we're going to do it in a way that tries to save some of these 33,000 lives that we lose every year.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: Third 2016 Presidential Debate in Las Vegas
Donald Trump on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 9, 2016)
Appoint Supreme Court judges who respect 2nd amendment
Q: What would you prioritize as the most important aspect of selecting a Supreme Court justice?TRUMP: People that will respect the US Constitution. Also, the Second Amendment, which is totally under siege by people like Clinton. They'll respect the
Second Amendment and what it stands for, what it represents.
CLINTON: I respect the Second Amendment. But I believe there should be comprehensive background checks, and we should close the gun show loophole, and close the online loophole.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: Second 2016 Presidential Debate at Washington University
Hillary Clinton on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 9, 2016)
Respect 2nd amendment but close loopholes
Q: What would you prioritize as the most important aspect of selecting a Supreme Court justice?TRUMP: People that will respect the US Constitution. Also, the Second Amendment, which is totally under siege by people like Clinton. They'll respect the
Second Amendment and what it stands for, what it represents.
CLINTON: I respect the Second Amendment. But I believe there should be comprehensive background checks, and we should close the gun show loophole, and close the online loophole.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: Second 2016 Presidential Debate at Washington University
Mike Pence on Second Amendment:
(Principles & Values Aug 1, 2016)
OpEd: More conservative than Trump on many domestic issues
| Issue | Trump | Pence |
|---|
| Gun rights | Exceptions & local restrictions ok | Hard-core pro-Second Amendment |
|---|
| War on Drugs | Cautious approach following states | Hard-core
drug warrior |
|---|
| Infrastructure investment | Invest in transportation infrastructure | Opposes federal investment; leave it to states |
|---|
| Campaign finance | Mixed views on reform |
Campaign donation limits are censorship |
|---|
| Tax reduction | Creative ideas including raising some taxes | No-new-taxes pledge on all taxation |
|---|
| Minimum wage & affirmative action | Some support of both |
Unambiguously opposes both |
|---|
| Gay marriage Supreme Court ruling | Accept it as the law of the land | Overturn that ruling |
|---|
| Iraq War | Opposed invasion | Supported invasion |
|---|
Click for Mike Pence on other issues.
Source: Trump/Pence vs. Clinton/Kaine On the Issues, by Jesse Gordon
Mike Pence on Second Amendment:
(Abortion Jul 20, 2016)
Need Supreme Court justices who uphold Constitution
This election will define the Supreme Court for the next 40 years. We all had better think very carefully about what this means for our Constitution and limited government. For the sake of the rule of law, for the sake of the sanctity of life, for the
sake of our Second Amendment, and for the sake of all our other God-given liberties, we must ensure that the next president appointing justices to the Supreme Court is Donald Trump.
Click for Mike Pence on other issues.
Source: Speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention
Amy Klobuchar on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jun 12, 2016)
Sensible reforms like enhanced background checks
Sen. Jeff SESSIONS [R, AL]: If the Heller court were to be reversed, that would mean that any city, county or state could completely ban the use of firearms. The Heller decision was 5-4 in the Supreme Court. Now that Scalia has passed away, the next
president will appoint the 5th vote. If Hillary Clinton is elected president, she will appoint a judge who will declare it not to be a personal right.KLOBUCHAR: I believe in the Second Amendment and I believe Hillary Clinton does as well.
But what she's been talking about here is simply something that the vast majority of the American people believe in, and that is some background checks--which the Supreme Court has left open in its gun decision--that you could have more enhanced
background checks. The idea that you shouldn't have stalkers be able to go out and get a gun, I think would [provide] vast hope in saving lives, including the fact that people on the terror watch list can still get guns. Those are some sensible reforms.
Click for Amy Klobuchar on other issues.
Source: Fox News Sunday 2016: interviews for 2016 Veepstakes
John Hickenlooper on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control May 24, 2016)
Universal background checks for all gun sales
[After A 2012 mass shooting] I noted that our history of addressing difficult problems together made it possible to discuss gun violence and mental health. Not one or the other. Both. Then we got to it.
"Let me prime the pump:
Why not have universal background checks for all gun sales? . Surely, Second Amendment advocates and gun control supporters can find common ground in support of this proposition:
Let's examine our laws and make the changes needed to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.
"It's not enough to prevent dangerous people from getting weapons.
We have to do a better job of identifying and helping people who are a threat to themselves and others. That is why we are requesting your support for a comprehensive overhaul of our state's mental health system."
Click for John Hickenlooper on other issues.
Source: The Opposite of Woe, by John Hickenlooper, p.304-5
Bill Weld on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control May 21, 2016)
2nd Amendment right s are individual rights
I am a lifelong hunter and gun owner. In 1993, as Governor of Massachusetts, I went along with modest restrictions on firearms. Governing involves tough choices. Today, I would make different choices. Restricting gun rights doesn't make us safer, and
threatens our constitutional freedoms. I support the Supreme Court's decision in the District of Columbia vs. Heller -- a decision that embraced the notion that Second Amendment rights are individual rights, not to be abridged by the government.
Click for Bill Weld on other issues.
Source: Reason magazine OpEd by 2016 vice-presidential hopeful
Ted Cruz on Second Amendment:
(Government Reform Feb 25, 2016)
Need principled constitutionalist on high court
The court is now hanging in the balance. For voters that care about life or marriage or religious liberty or the Second Amendment, they're asking the question:
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, who do you know will nominate principled constitutionalists to the court? I give you my word, every justice I nominate will vigorously defend the Bill of Rights for my children and for yours.
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: 2016 CNN-Telemundo Republican debate on eve of Texas primary
Donald Trump on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jan 14, 2016)
No limits on guns; they save lives
Q: Are there any circumstances that you think we should be limiting gun sales of any kind in America?TRUMP: No. I am a 2nd amendment person. If we had guns in California on the other side where the bullets went in the different direction,
you wouldn't have 14 or 15 people dead right now. If even in Paris, if they had guns on the other side, going in the opposite direction, you wouldn't have 130 people plus dead. So the answer is no and what Jeb said is absolutely correct.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: Fox Business 2016 Republican 2-tier debate
Ted Cruz on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jan 14, 2016)
Lack of individual right to guns leads to confiscation
The court could rule that not a single person in this room has any right under the Second Amendment and the government could confiscate your guns. In any Republican primary, everyone is going to say they support the Second Amendment.
But the voters are savvier than that. They recognize that people's actions don't always match their words. I've got a proven record fighting to defend the Second Amendment.
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: Fox Business Republican 2-tier debate
Donald Trump on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Nov 22, 2015)
Keep enemies of the state away from guns
Q: You've talked about wanting to keep the terror watch list but, under current law, individuals on the terror watch list and the no-fly list have been allowed to buy guns and explosives. Are you OK with that?
TRUMP: We have to have a watch list, but we have the laws already on the books as far as Second Amendment for guns, if people are on a watch list or people are sick, this is already covered in the legislation that we already have,
Q: But under current law people on the watch list are allowed to buy guns.
TRUMP: If somebody is on a watch list and an enemy of state and we know it's an enemy of state, I would keep them away, absolutely.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: ABC This Week 2015 interviews of 2016 presidential hopefuls
Donald Trump on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 11, 2015)
Gun ownership makes US safer, not more dangerous
Q: You have a concealed weapons permit. Why?TRUMP: Because I like to have myself protected.
Q: In the context of current gun violence, would you advise people to get that?
TRUMP: Well, I'm a big Second Amendment person. As an example, for the horrible thing that just took place in Oregon had somebody in that room had a gun, the result would have been better.
Q: So, should people get armed the way you are?
TRUMP: Well, that's up to them.
Q: What about teachers?
TRUMP: I think that if you had the teacher, assuming they knew how use a weapon, which hopefully they would, you would have been a lot better wh
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: CBS Face the Nation 2015 interview by Bob Schieffer
Donald Trump on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Sep 20, 2015)
Protect the Second Amendment, but address mental health
Q: You recently released a plan cast as protecting the Second Amendment, but you have also said that you think more needs to be done on the issue of mental health when it comes to people who are disturbed getting guns. Do you support the
California law allowing judges to confiscate someone's gun if they are deemed to be a threat to themselves or others?A: This is something to look into--people with mental health problems are on the streets who shouldn't be.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: CNN SOTU 2015 interview series: 2016 presidential hopefuls
John Kasich on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Aug 2, 2015)
2nd Amendment advocate: NRA rating changed from "F" to "A"
Q: Let me pick up on another issue that some conservatives have with you. Back in 1994, you voted for the assault weapons ban that Bill Clinton was proposing, which earned you an "F" from NRA. Now, your NRA rating is a straight "A".
What would you say to a gun rights advocate who is going to say I'm not sure I like the guy who at one time had an "F" from the NRA?KASICH: That was an assault weapon ban. I'm a Second Amendment advocate. I don't believe the government should
be taking guns from people. I think people have a right to be armed. It's about keeping the Second Amendment and it's allowing legitimate gun owners to be able to do what they want, which is exercise their constitutional right. So people don't need to
worry about that.
Q: Do you regret your vote for the assault weapons ban in '94?
KASICH: No, when I look at it now, it was superfluous. We were adding a law that had no impact. And I don't think that's ever smart to do.
Click for John Kasich on other issues.
Source: Fox News Sunday 2015 coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls
Donald Trump on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jul 26, 2015)
Take guns from good people & bad people have target practice
Q: [With regards to a shooting in Lafayette, Louisiana] we have another case of someone with well-established mental health problems somehow able to legally buy a gun. What do you think needs to be done to stop this?A: These are sick people.
This has nothing to do with guns, this has to do with the mentality of these people. I'm a big Second Amendment person. I believe in it so strongly, and if you take the guns away from the good people, and the bad ones are going to have target practice.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: CNN SOTU 2015 interview series: 2016 presidential hopefuls
Kirsten Gillibrand on Second Amendment:
(Government Reform Jun 30, 2015)
First member of Congress to post official schedule daily
Gillibrand had built a reputation for bucking the standard way of doing things--she first won a seat in the House of Representatives by running as a Democrat who supported Second Amendment rights and opposed amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Once elected, she became the first member of Congress to publish her entire official schedule every day, so that her constituents knew exactly with whom she met, including lobbyists and lawyers.
She also made the point of publishing the earmark requests she had requested and received, as well as her own personal financial statement.
As a senator, she authored parts of the STOCK Act, which imposed limits on the scandalous but legal practice of insider trading by members of Congress. That didn't win her any new friends among her colleagues.
Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues.
Source: A Time for Truth, by Ted Cruz, p. 54
Ted Cruz on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jun 18, 2015)
2nd Amendment is ultimate check against government tyranny
"The Second Amendment to the Constitution isn't for just protecting hunting rights, and it's not only to safeguard your right to target practice," Cruz has said, per the
New York Times. "It is a Constitutional right to protect your children, your family, your home, our lives, and to serve as the ultimate check against governmental tyranny--for the protection of liberty."
[Other Republicans assert similar sentiments]: Rick Santorum has said, "The Second Amendment is there to protect the First Amendment!"
Rand Paul is an ardent defender of the Second Amendment. Rick Perry is an NRA supporter and Second Amendment advocate
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: Rolling Stone magazine on 2016 presidential hopefuls
Donald Trump on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jun 16, 2015)
A very strong person on the Second Amendment
What does Donald Trump believe? Gun Control: Limit restrictions on guns. Ban some assault weapons & extend the waiting period for purchase.During a 2013 interview, the real estate mogul defined himself as, "a very strong person on the 2nd Amendment."
He believes guns are necessary for self-defense and has written that he generally opposes gun control. In his 2000 book, "The America We Deserve" Trump wrote that he supports a ban on assault weapons and a slightly longer waiting period to buy a gun.
Click for Donald Trump on other issues.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
Rand Paul on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Apr 7, 2015)
Oppose laws which would limit the right to gun ownership
As President, I vow to uphold our entire Bill of Rights, but specifically our right to bear arms. I will not support any proposed gun control law which would limit the right to gun ownership by those who are responsible, law-abiding citizens.
In the White House, I will remain vigilant in the fight against infringements on our Second Amendment rights.
Click for Rand Paul on other issues.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website, RandPaul.com, "Issues"
Rand Paul on Second Amendment:
(Crime Feb 27, 2015)
Defend the whole Bill of Rights, including speedy trials
Rand Paul said at CPAC that "we have to defend the whole Bill of Rights. To defend the Second amendment, you have to defend the Fourth Amendment," he continued. "You need the First Amendment to protect the Second Amendment. The Fifth, the Sixth--we
should have speedy trials in our country." Paul cited the case of Kalief Browder, an African-American teenager accused of a crime who spent three years in jail without even getting a trial. While behind bars, he tried to commit suicide several times.
Browder "lives in that 'other America' that Martin Luther King talked about," Paul said.If the GOP wants to appeal to minorities and other voters beyond its core conservative base, he said, it must defend the entire Bill of Rights.
The party should make the case that "big government's not only a problem as far as regulation and taxes, [but also] with sometimes not giving justice to those who deserve it."
Click for Rand Paul on other issues.
Source: CBS News on 2015 Conservative Political Action Conf.
John Hickenlooper on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Dec 15, 2013)
CO cares about 2nd Amendment, but also safe communities
Q: The Arapahoe High School shooting happened eight miles from Columbine, where we had another of these awful shootings. Is there any connection here?HICKENLOOPER: Well, we don't think so. Some people have suggested perhaps there's a copycat element
to this. But he bought the gun legally; then he bought a large amount of ammunition. Having had these episodes in the past, we do have strategies and protocols in place, where we had a deputy sheriff who was there within a minute of the first shots.
Q: You had two state legislators who were recalled from office because they led the effort to tighten gun laws out there. Where do you see this going?
HICKENLOOPER: Two things that Coloradoans deeply care about is the protection of their Second
Amendment rights, but they also care deeply about making their community safer. Things like universal background checks, I think they are going to make us safer. But in this specific case, it's not going to make a difference at all.
Click for John Hickenlooper on other issues.
Source: Face the Nation 2013. on 2014 Colorado gubernatorial race
Cory Booker on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 17, 2013)
Criminal gun runners shouldn't have Second Amendment rights
Q: Why do you want to come to Washington in the middle of all this [instead of remaining an effective Mayor]?CORY BOOKER: As mayor, we faced a lot of headwinds because of some of the things that often seem very obvious that Washington isn't doing to
help out. So take, for example, gun violence in my city. The majority of guns that we recover don't even come from New Jersey. They come from criminal gun runners who are not law-abiding citizens who should have a Second Amendment right.
They come from criminals who can walk into secondary markets & buy weapons. And having commonsense background checks that 90% of Americans agree on makes sense, but we're not getting it done.
Q: Why do you think your presence I the Senate would make
gun control more likely?
CORY BOOKER: One senator [can't do it alone]. I have got to really I work hard and humbly and learn as much as I can and find creative ways to join with others to make a difference. I know we can do better. I know America can.
Click for Cory Booker on other issues.
Source: Gwen Ifill interview on PBS "Newshour"
Barack Obama on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Feb 12, 2013)
Gun violence victims deserve a vote
It has been two months since Newtown. This is not the first time this country has debated how to reduce gun violence. But this time is different. Overwhelming majorities of Americans--Americans who believe in the 2nd Amendment--have come together around
commonsense reform--like background checks that will make it harder for criminals to get their hands on a gun. Senators of both parties are working together on tough new laws to prevent anyone from buying guns for resale to criminals. Police chiefs are
asking our help to get weapons of war and massive ammunition magazines off our streets.Each of these proposals deserves a vote in Congress. If you want to vote no, that's your choice. But these proposals deserve a vote. Because in the two months
since Newtown, more than a thousand birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries have been stolen from our lives by a bullet from a gun.
Gabby Giffords deserves a vote. The families of Newtown deserve a vote. The families of Aurora deserve a vote.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: 2013 State of the Union Address
Rand Paul on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Feb 12, 2013)
Don't let the liberals tread on the Second Amendment
We are the party that adheres to the Constitution. We will not let the liberals tread on the Second Amendment! We will fight to defend the entire Bill of Rights.
We will stand up against excessive government power wherever we see it. We cannot and will not allow any President to act as if he were a king. We will not let any President use executive orders to impinge on the Second Amendment.
Click for Rand Paul on other issues.
Source: Tea Party Response to 2013 State of the Union Address
Barack Obama on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 16, 2012)
I believe in 2nd Amendment, but not war weapons on streets
Q: In 2008, you stated you wanted to keep AK-47s out of the hands of criminals. OBAMA: We're a nation that believes in the Second Amendment, and I believe in the Second Amendment. We've got a long tradition of hunting and sportsmen and people who
want to make sure they can protect themselves. My belief is that we have to enforce the laws we've already got, make sure that we're keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, those who are mentally ill.
We've done a much better job in terms of background checks, but we've got more to do when it comes to enforcement. But weapons that were designed for soldiers in war theaters don't belong on our streets. Part of it is seeing if we can get an assault
weapons ban reintroduced. But part of it is also looking at other sources of the violence. Because frankly, in my home town of Chicago, there's an awful lot of violence and they're not using AK-47s. They're using cheap hand guns.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: Second Obama-Romney 2012 debate
Mike Pence on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 5, 2012)
Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental, individual right
While serving in Congress, Mike Pence signed the historic brief filed in McDonald v. City of Chicago, which argued that the Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental, individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms for all law-abiding Americans. Pence cosponsored
HR822, "The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act," which would ensure that law-abiding Americans with valid concealed handgun permits would be able to carry a concealed handgun in any other state that does not prohibit concealed carry.
He also cosponsored HR645, "The Second Amendment Enforcement Act," to repeal the DC gun ban/registration statute and restore the right of self-defense to law-abiding residents of our nation's capital. In addition, Pence cosponsored and voted for the
"Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act," which protected American gun makers from being sued into bankruptcy, and cosponsored and voted for the "Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act," which prohibits gun confiscation during states of emergency.
Click for Mike Pence on other issues.
Source: National Rifle Assoc. Political Victory Fund endorsement
Ted Cruz on Second Amendment:
(Immigration Oct 2, 2012)
No path to citizenship for 1.65 million illegals in Texas
When discussing what to do about the 1.65 million illegal immigrants living in Texas, Cruz weaved into the Second Amendment, alleging his opponent didn't support gun rights. "What does this have to do with the question?"
Sadler asked before fiercely denying his opponent's allegation. Cruz again said he didn't support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants living in America, while Sadler said the opposite, as expected.
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: WFAA-TV Dallas-Fort Worth on 2012 Texas Senate debate
Barack Obama on Second Amendment:
(Drugs Sep 19, 2012)
Fast & Furious was completely wrongheaded; we've stopped it
Q: The "Fast and Furious" operation allowed 2,000 weapons from the US to Mexico, to get into drug-trafficker hands. Shouldn't Attorney General Eric Holder have known about that?A: The Fast and Furious program was a field-initiated program begun under
the previous administration. When Eric Holder found out about it, he discontinued it. We assigned an inspector general to do a thorough report that was just issued, confirming that, in fact, Eric Holder did not know about this, that he took prompt
action and the people who did initiate this were held accountable. And the strategy that was pursued, obviously, was completely wrongheaded. Those folks who were responsible have been held accountable.
Q: But if you have nothing to hide then why are
you not releasing papers to this?
A: We've released thousands of papers...
Q: But not all of them.
A: The ones that we don't release typically relate to internal communications that were not related to the actual Fast and Furious operation.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: Obama-Romney interviews by Univision Noticias (Spanish News)
Barack Obama on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jun 29, 2012)
Fast-and-Furious: no prosecutions for Mexican gun/drug snafu
The Republican-led House voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt. The politically & constitutionally charged dispute centered on whether the Justice Department must turn over e-mails and memorandums showing its internal deliberations last
year about the botched Arizona-based gunrunning investigation known as Operation Fast and Furious. President Obama has invoked executive privilege to block the subpoena.Operation Fast & Furious was conducted from late 2009 to early 2011 by ATF agents
who were looking into a gun-smuggling network linked to a Mexican drug cartel. Suspected "straw" purchasers for the network ended up acquiring about 2,000 guns. In Dec. 2010, two such weapons were found at the site of a shootout in which a Border Patrol
agent was killed.
The Obama administration will not prosecute Holder for criminal contempt because the Justice Department does not consider it to be a crime to fail to provide information over which a president has asserted executive privilege.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: New York Times, "Fast and Furious Contempt"
Joe Biden on Second Amendment:
(Drugs Jun 25, 2012)
OpEd: Executive privilege doesn't apply to "Fast & Furious"
Joe Biden, when serving as a senator in 2007, made it clear that executive privilege applies only to communications involving the president himself. So unless the Attorney General was talking "Fast and Furious" with the President, executive privilege
wouldn't apply [as the Obama Administration claims in denying a Congressional subpoena]. Biden was responding to a question posed by the Boston Globe, which asked Biden, "Does executive privilege cover testimony or documents about decision-making
within the executive branch not involving confidential advice communicated to the president himself?"
Biden delivered an unqualified response: "The executive privilege only covers communications between the president and his advisors. Even when the
privilege does apply, it is not absolute; it may be outweighed by the public's interest in the fair administration of justice."
Biden was speaking about Pres. Bush and the issues of warrantless surveillance of terror suspects in his interview.
Click for Joe Biden on other issues.
Source: Tarpon's Swamp (blog)
Joe Walsh on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 26, 2011)
Fast and Furious: an attack on gun owners & gun dealers
Q: You are among the earliest to call for Eric Holder's resignation. Do you think you are getting a little ahead of yourself?WALSH: The more you learn about this, the more you have to ask yourself this. Nobody has given a rationale yet for this "Fast
and Furious" program. And it is clear to me, and I think it's clear to a lot of Americans, that this was an attack on gun owners. This was an attack on gun dealers. And Eric Holder is responsible for that. It is out outrageous what transpired in this
Fast and Furious. And all he is doing right now is obfuscating and not responding to Congress. He needs to be held accountable.
A: So if he answers for investigations or follow-up meetings, would you hold off on calling for the Attorney General's
resignation? Or you're still standing by that?
WALSH: No, because it is clear the Department of Justice approved a failed program, a program that I believe is criminal and in which two of our border agents were killed. And that he can't take back.
Click for Joe Walsh on other issues.
Source: Your World with Cavuto on 2020 presidential hopefuls
Ted Cruz on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jul 17, 2011)
Opposes unreasonable and burdensome gun restrictions
Ted Cruz has led the way in defense of our right to keep and bear arms.- Authored a brief on behalf of 31 states supporting the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms
- Argued against unreasonable and burdensome gun restrictions
-
Honored by a 2008 resolution passed by the National Board of the NRA, thanking Ted for leading the States before the Supreme Court in the DC gun case, and noting that his "efforts made this victory for the American people possible."
Click for Ted Cruz on other issues.
Source: Campaign website, www.tedcruz.org, "Issues"
Rand Paul on Second Amendment:
(Homeland Security Feb 22, 2011)
The Patriot Act is intrusive; it's what the Founders feared
Sometimes conservatives seem to believe that giving the federal government unprecedented power in spying or warrantless wiretapping is somehow a positive development, but this is exactly the sort of intrusiveness the Founders feared most.
This sort of invasiveness is also precisely the reason we have a Second Amendment protecting our right to keep and bear arms.
Click for Rand Paul on other issues.
Source: The Tea Party Goes to Washington, by Rand Paul, p.124
Joe Walsh on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Nov 2, 2010)
Supports right to own hand guns & to carry concealed weapons
The 2nd Amendment is not at all ambiguous--this right "shall not be infringed." Guns laws across the country infringe this right, day after day. It is my position that we do not need any more anti-gun laws.
I am a strong supporter of our constitutionally provided right to bear arms including our rights to own hand guns to protect our homes and to carry concealed weapons. Private citizens are constitutionally guaranteed the right to own firearms.
Click for Joe Walsh on other issues.
Source: 2010 House campaign website, walshforcongress.com, "Issues"
Justin Amash on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Nov 2, 2010)
No restrictions on purchase, transport, or possession
As the Founders recognized, the right of the people to keep and bear arms is the surest safeguard against violations of our liberty. We must defend the Second Amendment just as vigorously as the rest of the United States Constitution. Congress must halt
the unconstitutional practice of restricting a person's ability to purchase, transport, store, or possess arms on public lands or on that individual's private property under the guise of regulating interstate commerce.
Click for Justin Amash on other issues.
Source: 2010 House campaign website, amashforcongress.com, "Issues"
Rand Paul on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Sep 1, 2010)
2nd amendment is only as good as the fourth amendment
How many supposed pro-gun politicians voted for the Patriot Act which gives the government the right to search your home without a warrant, when you're not home, leave listening devices, and use any and all information to create a prosecution on any
charge regardless of their original reason for the search?Gun rights advocates need to know that the 2nd amendment is only as good as the fourth amendment. If we are not free from unreasonable and warrantless searches, no one's guns are safe.
Click for Rand Paul on other issues.
Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, www.randpaul2010.com, "issues"
Rand Paul on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jul 19, 2010)
Supports 2nd amendment; vote against restricting handguns
How many politicians claim they are supporters of the 2nd amendment and then vote to restrict handguns? We need to send people to Washington that not only understand the 2nd amendment but the entire Bill of Rights.
Click for Rand Paul on other issues.
Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, www.randpaul2010.com, "Issues"
Nikki Haley on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control May 2, 2010)
Founding fathers gave us the absolute right to bear arms
The right to bear arms was deemed so critical by our Founders that they spelled it out in absolute terms, and it is my belief that any governmental action that undermines that right is in turn undermining the very freedoms that built our great nation.
I hold a Concealed Weapons Permit myself, and in this state we have issues that make it difficult for CWP holders to carry. As governor, I will continue to fight against any government infringement on the 2nd Amendment.
Click for Nikki Haley on other issues.
Source: 2010 Gubernatorial campaign website nikkihaley.com, "Issues"
Kirsten Gillibrand on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jan 23, 2009)
Earned high rating from the National Rifle Association
Her politics, perhaps reflecting her conservative district, cannot be easily charted along a left-right axis. She earned a high rating from the National Rifle Association and opposed efforts to extend state drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants.
At the same time, she favors abortion rights.Gillibrand moved to bridge the political & cultural divide, shunning political labels and even embracing Second Amendment gun rights and other positions that placed her outside the mainstream of her party.
Click for Kirsten Gillibrand on other issues.
Source: Michael Powell and Raymond Hernandez, New York Times
Hillary Clinton on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Apr 16, 2008)
Balance lawful gun ownership & keeping guns from criminals
Q: Both you and Sen. Obama, in the past, have supported strong gun control measures. But now when I listen to you on the campaign, I hear you emphasizing that you believe in an individual’s right to bear arms. Both of you were strong advocates for
licensing of guns. Both of you were strong advocates for the registration of guns. Why don’t you emphasize that now?CLINTON: I respect the Second Amendment. I respect the rights of lawful gun owners to own guns, to use their guns, but
I also believe that most lawful gun owners whom I have spoken with for many years across our country also want to be sure that we keep those guns out of the wrong hands. And as president, I will work to try to bridge this divide, which I think has been
polarizing and, frankly, doesn’t reflect the common sense of the American people. We will strike the right balance to protect the constitutional right but to give people the feeling & the reality that they will be protected from guns in the wrong hands.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: 2008 Philadelphia primary debate, on eve of PA primary
Barack Obama on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Feb 11, 2008)
Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok
Q: You said recently, “I have no intention of taking away folks’ guns.” But you support the D.C. handgun ban, and you’ve said that it’s constitutional. How do you reconcile those two positions?A: Because I think we have two conflicting traditions
in this country. I think it’s important for us to recognize that we’ve got a tradition of handgun ownership and gun ownership generally. And a lot of law-abiding citizens use it for hunting, for sportsmanship, and for protecting their families.
We also have a violence on the streets that is the result of illegal handgun usage. And so I think there is nothing wrong with a community saying we are going to take those illegal handguns off the streets.
And cracking down on the various loopholes that exist in terms of background checks for children, the mentally ill. We can have reasonable, thoughtful gun control measure that I think respect the Second Amendment and people’s traditions.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: 2008 Politico pre-Potomac Primary interview
Hillary Clinton on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jan 15, 2008)
Backed off a national licensing registration plan on guns
I believe in the Second Amendment. People have a right to bear arms. But I also believe that we can common-sensically approach this, and backed off a national licensing registration plan.
Click for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas
Mike Bloomberg on Second Amendment:
(Energy & Oil Nov 2, 2007)
PlaNYC: convert 13,000 taxis to hybrids or high-efficiency
I think illegal guns and climate change are two of the best examples of cities leading where Washington has not. On both issues, those in Washington prefer talk to action. The Second Amendment [is used as] a political duck-and-cover that allows
legislators to escape responsibility for fixing a serious problem.On climate change, the duck-and-cover usually involves pointing the finger at others. It’s China-this & India-that. But wait a second. This is the United States of America. When there’s
a major challenge, we don’t wait for others to act. We lead. And we lead by example. That’s what all of us here are doing.
When we developed our long-term sustainability plan in NYC, which we call PlaNYC, we made no apologies for stealing the very best
ideas--and we came up with some of our own, including converting our 13,000 taxis to hybrids or high-efficiency vehicles. This will not only help clean our air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it will save each driver about $4,500 a year in gas costs
Click for Mike Bloomberg on other issues.
Source: Keynote Address to the US Conference of Mayors
Mike Bloomberg on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Nov 2, 2007)
2nd Amendment doesn’t prevent keeping guns from criminals
Illegal guns is an example of cities leading where Washington has not. Those in Washington prefer talk to action. On illegal guns, they extol the virtues of the Second Amendment, but let’s get serious: protecting the Second Amendment does not stop you
from keeping illegal guns out of the hands of criminals. It’s just a political duck-and-cover that allows legislators to escape responsibility for fixing a serious problem and innocent people--and police officers--are dying as a result.
Click for Mike Bloomberg on other issues.
Source: Keynote Address to the US Conference of Mayors
Mike Gravel on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control May 23, 2007)
Require license & training for gun ownership
While Senator Gravel fully supports the 2nd Amendment, he believes that fundamental change must take place with regards to gun ownership.
The senator advocates a licensing program where a potential gun owner must be licensed as well as properly trained with a firearm before they may own one.
Click for Mike Gravel on other issues.
Source: 2008 Presidential campaign website, gravel2008.us, “Issues”
Barack Obama on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Oct 21, 2004)
Bush erred in failing to renew assault weapons ban
KEYES: [to Obama]: I am a strong believer in the second amendment. The gun control mentality is ruthlessly absurd. It suggests that we should pass a law that prevents law abiding citizens from carrying weapons. You end up with a situation where the crook
have all the guns and the law abiding citizens cannot defend themselves. I guess that’s good enough for Senator Obama who voted against the bill that would have allowed homeowners to defend themselves if their homes were broken into.
OBAMA: Let’s be honest. Mr. Keyes does not believe in common gun control measures like the assault weapons bill. Mr. Keyes does not believe in any limits from what I can tell with respect to the possession of guns,
including assault weapons that have only one purpose, to kill people. I think it is a scandal that this president did not authorize a renewal of the assault weapons ban.
Click for Barack Obama on other issues.
Source: Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes
Jesse Ventura on Second Amendment:
(Gun Control Jul 2, 2000)
Gun responsibility goes with gun rights
The Second Amendment grants us the freedom to possess and use firearms-and that’s about the part where most people stop reading-but it goes on to say that it rants us that right because of a responsibility. To me, that means we are entrusted with using
our firearms safely, for the protection of ourselves and others. I’m no advocate of gun control, but I do think in recent years we’ve made way too much noise on the “rights” side of the equation, and not enough on the “responsibility” side. [But] forcing
people to register their firearms goes against the intent of the Second Amendment.A certain amount of gun control is fine. I don’t want the average citizen walking around the streets carrying machine guns. I agree that gun use should be controlled,
but I don’t believe the government should be the one doing the controlling. I think control is the gun owner’s responsibility. But the ban on assault weapons was a stupid piece of legislation. It banned guns for simply looking like machine guns.
Click for Jesse Ventura on other issues.
Source: Do I Stand Alone, by Jesse Ventura, p.112-14
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