I used to shoot competitively. I'd like to get back into it one day. I also believe strongly in the 2nd amendment. If I lived alone there is no doubt that I would have a gun for protection, and I don't think the law should limit my choice to defend myself in any way. What is each candidate's stance on gun control?
Michael Moore's endorsement of Clark: “On the issue of gun control, this hunter and gun owner will close the gun show loophole (which would have helped prevent the massacre at Columbine) and he will sign into law a bill to create a federal ballistics fingerprinting database for every gun in America (the DC sniper, who bought his rifle in his own name, would have been identified after the FIRST day of his killing spree). He is not afraid, as many Democrats are, of the NRA. His message to them: “You like to fire assault weapons? I have a place for you. It's not in the homes and streets of America. It's called the Army, and you can join any time!” ”
Position paper: “I am a gun owner and a hunter, and I believe that law-abiding adults have the right to own firearms. But like all rights, gun rights come with responsibilities. And we need responsible gun laws that are designed to keep guns out of the hands of criminals without unduly infringing the rights of legitimate gun owners.”
Position paper: “Do a better job of enforcing existing gun laws. George Bush has broken the only promise he ever made on gun safety - that he would vigorously enforce the federal gun laws. Under the Bush Administration, only 2 percent of federal gun crimes are prosecuted, and 20 of the 22 major federal gun laws are almost never enforced. The laws that John Ashcroft's Justice Department is ignoring are the very ones they should be most focused on - laws against illegal gun trafficking, selling guns to minors, selling guns in a school zone. As President, I would vigorously enforce the laws that keep us safe.”
Position paper: “Ask Congress to send me a bill that closes the gun show loophole. Under the Brady Law, which I support, more than a million individuals have been prevented from purchasing guns over the past ten years because a background check revealed a felony conviction or other prohibition, such as a domestic violence restraining order. Because current technology allows 95 percent of such checks to be completed in under two hours, this simple step means minimal inconvenience to law-abiding gun purchasers.”
“Renew the assault weapons ban. These weapons are dangerous and designed for one purpose: military assault. We don't need them on the streets of our cities. We use assault weapons in the army; folks who want to use them should enlist.”
Position paper: “Make sure that guns are designed with safety as a priority. For example, trigger locks on handguns would prevent a substantial number of the accidental shootings that occur every year. And such locks are no more of a threat to liberty than are seatbelts in cars. In addition, guns should feature indicators that show when they are loaded. Design features like these cannot take the place of training in gun safety, and the need to secure guns from children, but they will make all gun owners and their families safer from accidental discharges.”
Position paper: “Retain the records of gun purchase background checks as a tool for investigating crime. Attorney General John Ashcroft has proposed a rule to destroy these records after only one day. Ironically, these appear to be the only privacy rights that this Administration believes should not be sacrificed in the war on terrorism.”
Position paper: “Help law enforcement use existing technology to fight crime. Ballistic fingerprinting is already helping the FBI and local law enforcement agencies identify guns that are used in crimes. We should require such fingerprinting of guns before they are sold, and create a national database of such information. If we are serious about preventing gun violence and terrorism, we need to embrace technology that will help prevent criminals from remaining anonymous.”
“I support the Second Amendment. People like firearms, they feel secure with firearms, they should keep their firearms,” said Clark, who has been shooting weapons since he was young.” (Jim ~VandeHei, Washington Post, p. A5 Sep 19, 2003)
“I have got 20 some odd guns in the house. I like to hunt. I have grown up with guns all my life, but people who like assault weapons should join the United States Army, we have them.” (Interview on CNN Crossfire Jun 25, 2003)
Postition paper: “I believe the federal gun laws we have – like the Brady Bill – are important, and I would veto any attempt to repeal or gut them. The Assault Weapons Ban expires next year, and it should be renewed.”
Postition paper: “I don't think we need a lot of new federal laws. But we do need to do a few things at the federal level, like requiring Insta-Check on all retail and gun show sales. We also must do a better job of enforcing the laws on the books. President Bush promised to be tough in enforcing gun laws, but his Administration has prosecuted only about 2% of all gun crimes and they are virtually ignoring 20 of the 22 major federal gun laws on the books. That is an abysmal record, and as President, I'd make tough enforcement a reality, not just political rhetoric.”
Postition paper: “After that, I would let the states decide for themselves what, if any, additional gun safety laws they want. Just as we resist attempts by President Bush to dictate to the states how we run our school systems and what kind of welfare programs to have, we need to resist attempts to tell states how to deal with guns beyond existing federal law and fixing a few loopholes and problems.”
“I support the assault weapons ban. I do not support the elimination of liability for gun owners. I support background checks. And I support background checks for people who buy guns at gun shows. I come from a rural state where people hunt. We have the lowest homicide rate in America. So my attitude is, let's have those federal laws and enforce them. And then let every state make additional gun control as they see fit.” (CNN “Rock The Vote” Democratic Debate Nov 5, 2003)
Endorsed by NRA eight times as VT governor (Associated Press in Minneapolis Star-Tribune Oct 31, 2003 )
Could not find any info on his site. Emailed info@johnedwards2004.com for more info on 1/23/04.
“I think we should extend the Brady Bill, which is set to expire. I think that we need to close forever the gun-show loophole,
to avoid criminals buying a gun. I think it does make sense to have trigger locks for the purpose of keeping guns safe from children.” (
Democratic 2004 Primary Debate at St. Anselm College Jan 22, 2004)
“It's very important for us as Democrats to understand that where I come from guns are about a lot more than guns themselves,” said John Edwards. “They are about independence. For a lot of people who work hard for a living, one of the few things they feel they have any control over is whether they can buy a gun and hunt. They don't want people messing with that, which I understand.” (Jim VandeHei, Washington Post, p. A1 Oct 26, 2003)
Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (Lautenberg Amdt #362; Bill S. 254 ; vote number 1999-134 on May 20, 1999)
Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. The Hatch amdt would increase mandatory penalties for the illegal transfer or use of firearms, fund additional drug case prosecutors, and require background check on purchasers at gun shows. (A YES vote supports stricter penalties). (Hatch Amendment #344; Bill S. 254 ; vote number 1999-118 on May 14, 1999)
Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. Vote to table or kill a motion to require that all gun sales at gun shows be completed by federally licensed gun dealers. Also requires background checks to be completed on buyers and requires gun show promoters to register with the Treasury. (Bill S.254 ; vote number 1999-111 on May 11, 1999)
“John Kerry is a gun owner and hunter, and he believes that law-abiding American adults have the right to own guns. But like all of our rights, gun rights come with responsibilities, and those rights allow for reasonable restrictions to keep guns out of the wrong hands. John Kerry strongly supports all of the federal gun laws on the books, and he would take steps to ensure that they are vigorously enforced, cracking down hard on the gun runners, corrupt dealers, straw buyers, and thieves that are putting guns into the hands of criminals in the first place. He will also close the gun show loophole, which is allowing criminals to get access to guns at gun shows without background checks, fix the background check system, which is in a serious state of disrepair, and require that all handguns be sold with a child safety lock.” (Position paper on website)
“I don't think the Democratic Party should be the candidacy of the NRA. And when I was fighting to ban assault weapons in 1992 and 1993, Dean was appealing to the NRA for their endorsement, and he got it. I believe it's important for us to have somebody who is going to stand up for gun safety in America and make certain that we make our streets safe, our children safe, and not allow people to get assault weapons in America.” (CNN “Rock The Vote” Democratic Debate Nov 5, 2003)
“I'm for the Brady Bill.” Democratic Presidential 2004 Primary Debate in Detroit Oct 27, 2003
Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. -The Hatch amdt would increase mandatory penalties for the illegal transfer or use of firearms, fund additional drug case prosecutors, and require background check on purchasers at gun shows. (A YES vote supports stricter penalties). ( Hatch Amendment #344; Bill S. 254 ; vote number 1999-118 on May 14, 1999 )
Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. Vote to table or kill a motion to require that all gun sales at gun shows be completed by federally licensed gun dealers. Also requires background checks to be completed on buyers and requires gun show promoters to register with the Treasury. (Bill S.254 ; vote number 1999-111 on May 11, 1999)
Voted NO on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. Vote to table
kill an amendment to make it unlawful for gun dealers to sell handguns without providing trigger locks. Violation of the law would result in civil penalties, such as suspension or revocation of the dealer's license, or a fine. (Bill S 2260 ; vote number 1998-216 on Jul 21, 1998)
