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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| How the 2020 Democrats Responded to a Gun Policy Survey | How the 2020 Democrats Responded to a Gun Policy Survey |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| The New York Times asked all 19 Democratic presidential candidates to complete a survey on gun policy. Following are the full responses we received, unedited except for corrected typos and punctuation. | The New York Times asked all 19 Democratic presidential candidates to complete a survey on gun policy. Following are the full responses we received, unedited except for corrected typos and punctuation. |
| Julián Castro, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard and Andrew Yang did not complete the survey. Where possible, we determined their positions from published plans, interviews, debates and forums. | Julián Castro, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard and Andrew Yang did not complete the survey. Where possible, we determined their positions from published plans, interviews, debates and forums. |
| Has a formal plan? No | Has a formal plan? No |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (10 to 15 rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (10 to 15 rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: No | Licensing requirement: No |
| Raise minimum age for gun purchases: Unsure | Raise minimum age for gun purchases: Unsure |
| Waiting period: Yes (“until a background check is fully complete”) | Waiting period: Yes (“until a background check is fully complete”) |
| Cap on gun purchases: Unsure | Cap on gun purchases: Unsure |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Unsure | Safe-storage requirements: Unsure |
| Registration requirement: No | Registration requirement: No |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unsure, but would “do everything in my power to remove the Dickey Amendment from any appropriations bill that I would sign.” | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unsure, but would “do everything in my power to remove the Dickey Amendment from any appropriations bill that I would sign.” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “A modern assault weapons ban should focus on elements of firearms that make them so deadly, such as a higher rate of fire.” | “A modern assault weapons ban should focus on elements of firearms that make them so deadly, such as a higher rate of fire.” |
| “Voluntary.” | “Voluntary.” |
| “We should look to the 17 states that have enacted red-flag laws already as models for an appropriate federal law.” | “We should look to the 17 states that have enacted red-flag laws already as models for an appropriate federal law.” |
| N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A |
| “As president, I will ensure the Centers for Diseases Control and the National Institutes of Health receive robust funding to conduct research on gun violence. That will include the $50 million in funding for gun violence research that was passed by the House earlier this year.” | “As president, I will ensure the Centers for Diseases Control and the National Institutes of Health receive robust funding to conduct research on gun violence. That will include the $50 million in funding for gun violence research that was passed by the House earlier this year.” |
| “Yes. Washington Republicans and the N.R.A. have sought to diminish A.T.F.’s authority with respect to gun safety. To start, I would seek to correct that diminution.” | “Yes. Washington Republicans and the N.R.A. have sought to diminish A.T.F.’s authority with respect to gun safety. To start, I would seek to correct that diminution.” |
| “As president, I will work to build a broad coalition to place maximum pressure on the Senate to pass gun safety legislation. This will involve traveling across the country, especially to rural communities, to bring unlikely voices together and build a consensus around gun legislation. Ultimately, if Congress refuses to act, I will use my executive authority to make our schools and communities safer. | “As president, I will work to build a broad coalition to place maximum pressure on the Senate to pass gun safety legislation. This will involve traveling across the country, especially to rural communities, to bring unlikely voices together and build a consensus around gun legislation. Ultimately, if Congress refuses to act, I will use my executive authority to make our schools and communities safer. |
| I do not, however, support eliminating the filibuster. Under unified control, a Republican majority could move quickly to dismantle any new gun safety laws and make them even weaker than they are today. More broadly, without the filibuster, Republicans could cut Social Security, gut environmental protections and block access to reproductive health care. We should not set that precedent.” | I do not, however, support eliminating the filibuster. Under unified control, a Republican majority could move quickly to dismantle any new gun safety laws and make them even weaker than they are today. More broadly, without the filibuster, Republicans could cut Social Security, gut environmental protections and block access to reproductive health care. We should not set that precedent.” |
| “I disagree with the majority’s interpretation of the Second Amendment. As president, I will support the efforts of states and the District of Columbia to enact common-sense gun safety legislation, and do the same at the federal level.” | “I disagree with the majority’s interpretation of the Second Amendment. As president, I will support the efforts of states and the District of Columbia to enact common-sense gun safety legislation, and do the same at the federal level.” |
| “The Second Amendment protects the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms. But with any right, there are reasonable limits. This should include background checks, red flag laws, limits on magazines, and a ban on military-style assault weapons. | “The Second Amendment protects the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms. But with any right, there are reasonable limits. This should include background checks, red flag laws, limits on magazines, and a ban on military-style assault weapons. |
| The founders never intended for our children to wake up every morning scared to go to their school, a concert or the movie theater. They never expected that mass shootings or daily acts of gun violence would plague our communities. | The founders never intended for our children to wake up every morning scared to go to their school, a concert or the movie theater. They never expected that mass shootings or daily acts of gun violence would plague our communities. |
| As a former school superintendent, I can tell you that our kids think this is normal. And that is unacceptable. We can both abide by our Constitution and keep our communities safe, so children can grow up in a world free of fear and violence.” | As a former school superintendent, I can tell you that our kids think this is normal. And that is unacceptable. We can both abide by our Constitution and keep our communities safe, so children can grow up in a world free of fear and violence.” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary, with registration requirement for those who don’t participate) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary, with registration requirement for those who don’t participate) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes, 10 rounds | Magazine size limit: Yes, 10 rounds |
| Licensing requirement: No (but supports incentives for state programs) | Licensing requirement: No (but supports incentives for state programs) |
| Raise minimum age: Unclear | Raise minimum age: Unclear |
| Waiting period: Unclear | Waiting period: Unclear |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one gun per month) | Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one gun per month) |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Only for assault weapons | Registration requirement: Only for assault weapons |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Did not answer | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Did not answer |
| Mr. Biden’s campaign completed the yes/no section of the survey but did not answer the follow-up questions because, at the time, he had not yet released his gun plan. That plan is now available here. His campaign spokesmen TJ Ducklo and Matt Hill told The Times: | Mr. Biden’s campaign completed the yes/no section of the survey but did not answer the follow-up questions because, at the time, he had not yet released his gun plan. That plan is now available here. His campaign spokesmen TJ Ducklo and Matt Hill told The Times: |
| “Vice President Biden is deeply committed to making lifesaving progress on ending the senseless gun violence epidemic that tears too many Americans away from their loved ones. He is the only presidential candidate who has defeated the N.R.A. on the national stage — and he’s done so twice. As president, he’ll defeat the N.R.A. again. | “Vice President Biden is deeply committed to making lifesaving progress on ending the senseless gun violence epidemic that tears too many Americans away from their loved ones. He is the only presidential candidate who has defeated the N.R.A. on the national stage — and he’s done so twice. As president, he’ll defeat the N.R.A. again. |
| As a senator, Biden spearheaded the effort to pass the Brady Bill, which established the firearms background check system. And, with Senator Feinstein, he successfully secured the passage of 10-year bans on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. As vice president, Biden led a White House gun violence prevention task force that put forward bold gun safety legislation and took over two dozen executive actions to strengthen the background check system, increase access to mental health services, and shape the development of gun safety technology. As president, Biden will take bold action to address the scourge of gun violence that plagues our schools, houses of worship, shopping centers and beyond — once again banning assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, implementing universal background checks, pushing for smart gun technology, and more to make our communities safer.” | As a senator, Biden spearheaded the effort to pass the Brady Bill, which established the firearms background check system. And, with Senator Feinstein, he successfully secured the passage of 10-year bans on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. As vice president, Biden led a White House gun violence prevention task force that put forward bold gun safety legislation and took over two dozen executive actions to strengthen the background check system, increase access to mental health services, and shape the development of gun safety technology. As president, Biden will take bold action to address the scourge of gun violence that plagues our schools, houses of worship, shopping centers and beyond — once again banning assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, implementing universal background checks, pushing for smart gun technology, and more to make our communities safer.” |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (mandatory) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (mandatory) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: Yes (21) | Higher minimum age: Yes (21) |
| Waiting period: Yes (supports “evidence-based efforts currently in place in states, including in California, which recently instituted a 10-day waiting period”) | Waiting period: Yes (supports “evidence-based efforts currently in place in states, including in California, which recently instituted a 10-day waiting period”) |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one handgun per month) | Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one handgun per month) |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Yes | Registration requirement: Yes |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unsure | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unsure |
| “Bring real oversight to gun manufacturers by allowing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to make safety warnings and issue recalls for faulty firearms. | “Bring real oversight to gun manufacturers by allowing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to make safety warnings and issue recalls for faulty firearms. |
| Require handgun microstamping that allows law enforcement to identify the source of ammunition used in crimes by making a shell casing traceable to the specific gun that fired the round. | Require handgun microstamping that allows law enforcement to identify the source of ammunition used in crimes by making a shell casing traceable to the specific gun that fired the round. |
| Require firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms.” | Require firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms.” |
| “I support a ban on assault weapons — weapons of war that are specifically designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible. Everytown for Gun Safety defines an assault weapon: ‘Assault weapons are generally high-powered semiautomatic firearms where each round has up to four times the muzzle velocity of a handgun round.’” | “I support a ban on assault weapons — weapons of war that are specifically designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible. Everytown for Gun Safety defines an assault weapon: ‘Assault weapons are generally high-powered semiautomatic firearms where each round has up to four times the muzzle velocity of a handgun round.’” |
| “I support a mandatory buyback program that will get weapons of war off our streets, with civil penalties imposed for noncompliance. I will work with community leaders, advocates and gun owners to implement a program that is as efficient and effective as possible.” | “I support a mandatory buyback program that will get weapons of war off our streets, with civil penalties imposed for noncompliance. I will work with community leaders, advocates and gun owners to implement a program that is as efficient and effective as possible.” |
| “Red-flag laws would draw on frameworks already in place in states for issuing domestic violence restraining orders while ensuring due process protections. Family, dating partners or law enforcement would be able to submit a petition to a judicial officer based on dangerous behavior. The gun would be removed immediately until a full hearing can be held — typically within 14 days. The individual whose gun may be removed will have the opportunity to respond to any evidence, and present their own evidence. The gun could be removed for up to one year with the option for renewal of confiscation. Analysis after Connecticut implemented their red flag laws found that for every 10-20 orders issued, at least one suicide was prevented.” | “Red-flag laws would draw on frameworks already in place in states for issuing domestic violence restraining orders while ensuring due process protections. Family, dating partners or law enforcement would be able to submit a petition to a judicial officer based on dangerous behavior. The gun would be removed immediately until a full hearing can be held — typically within 14 days. The individual whose gun may be removed will have the opportunity to respond to any evidence, and present their own evidence. The gun could be removed for up to one year with the option for renewal of confiscation. Analysis after Connecticut implemented their red flag laws found that for every 10-20 orders issued, at least one suicide was prevented.” |
| “A gun license would be required for all guns — if you need a license to drive a car, you should need a license to own a gun. I am proud to be the first candidate in the field to call for a federal gun licensing program to keep guns out of the wrong hands.” | “A gun license would be required for all guns — if you need a license to drive a car, you should need a license to own a gun. I am proud to be the first candidate in the field to call for a federal gun licensing program to keep guns out of the wrong hands.” |
| “My proposal to implement gun licensing would apply to all gun owners, and allow for adequate transition time. Afterward, civil penalties would apply.” | “My proposal to implement gun licensing would apply to all gun owners, and allow for adequate transition time. Afterward, civil penalties would apply.” |
| “My proposal to implement gun registration through a licensing program would apply to all gun owners, and allow for adequate transition time. Afterward, civil penalties would apply.” | “My proposal to implement gun registration through a licensing program would apply to all gun owners, and allow for adequate transition time. Afterward, civil penalties would apply.” |
| “I support providing no less than $50 million funding — and will rely on experts to determine the appropriate amount — to the C.D.C. and N.I.H. to support a broad range of research topics relating to gun violence and to improve data collection.” | “I support providing no less than $50 million funding — and will rely on experts to determine the appropriate amount — to the C.D.C. and N.I.H. to support a broad range of research topics relating to gun violence and to improve data collection.” |
| “I will dramatically increase funding for the A.T.F. and repeal riders on A.T.F.’s budget that restrict law enforcement’s ability to investigate crimes and crack down on gun dealers, including riders that prevent the A.T.F. from digitizing its records so that its data is searchable and made easily available. I will maximize the A.T.F.’s executive authority to expand background checks, including by closing the so-called ‘boyfriend loophole’ and expanding the category of who is considered a gun dealer.” | “I will dramatically increase funding for the A.T.F. and repeal riders on A.T.F.’s budget that restrict law enforcement’s ability to investigate crimes and crack down on gun dealers, including riders that prevent the A.T.F. from digitizing its records so that its data is searchable and made easily available. I will maximize the A.T.F.’s executive authority to expand background checks, including by closing the so-called ‘boyfriend loophole’ and expanding the category of who is considered a gun dealer.” |
| “I refuse to accept that we can’t come together to solve the epidemic of gun violence in this country. We joined together to pass civil rights legislation in the 1960s — only recently, we came together to make sweeping changes to our criminal justice system. That being said, it’s not a radical ideal to eliminate the Senate filibuster — it’s not a sacred or constitutional feature of our system. But I hesitate to eliminate it — not because of what could be accomplished without it, but because of what Republicans could do next time they regain power. I’m open to the discussion, and certainly glad that we are having a debate in our party about how we can improve our democracy and advance progressive policy.” | “I refuse to accept that we can’t come together to solve the epidemic of gun violence in this country. We joined together to pass civil rights legislation in the 1960s — only recently, we came together to make sweeping changes to our criminal justice system. That being said, it’s not a radical ideal to eliminate the Senate filibuster — it’s not a sacred or constitutional feature of our system. But I hesitate to eliminate it — not because of what could be accomplished without it, but because of what Republicans could do next time they regain power. I’m open to the discussion, and certainly glad that we are having a debate in our party about how we can improve our democracy and advance progressive policy.” |
| “I believe the Heller decision was wrongly decided. More than 220 years after the Constitution was written — in a 5-4 ruling — the Supreme Court expanded the reach of the Second Amendment, allowing for the absurd — guns in bars, guns in airports and guns in houses of worship, for example.” | “I believe the Heller decision was wrongly decided. More than 220 years after the Constitution was written — in a 5-4 ruling — the Supreme Court expanded the reach of the Second Amendment, allowing for the absurd — guns in bars, guns in airports and guns in houses of worship, for example.” |
| “Our founding fathers never envisioned the Second Amendment would be used as a mandate for guns to be allowed everywhere and anywhere, and be made readily available to anyone who wants one. In fact, when Thomas Jefferson and James Madison served on the board of the University of Virginia, they decided that no student should possess a gun or weapon of any kind. I believe we can respect the constitutional right of gun owners while taking common-sense steps to reduce gun violence.” | “Our founding fathers never envisioned the Second Amendment would be used as a mandate for guns to be allowed everywhere and anywhere, and be made readily available to anyone who wants one. In fact, when Thomas Jefferson and James Madison served on the board of the University of Virginia, they decided that no student should possess a gun or weapon of any kind. I believe we can respect the constitutional right of gun owners while taking common-sense steps to reduce gun violence.” |
| “As president, I won’t wait for more thoughts and prayers for communities that have been shattered by gun violence — from Pittsburgh to Parkland to El Paso to communities like mine where kids fear the fireworks of Fourth of July because to them they sound like gunshots. To make justice a reality for all, we have to end the epidemic of gun violence and invest in communities that have been shattered by the trauma left in its wake. | “As president, I won’t wait for more thoughts and prayers for communities that have been shattered by gun violence — from Pittsburgh to Parkland to El Paso to communities like mine where kids fear the fireworks of Fourth of July because to them they sound like gunshots. To make justice a reality for all, we have to end the epidemic of gun violence and invest in communities that have been shattered by the trauma left in its wake. |
| This is a personal fight for me. My perspective is rooted in my experience living in Newark, N.J., and working to stem the tide of violence for the past 20+ years — as a tenant organizer, on the City Council, as mayor and as a U.S. senator. That is why one of my first policy proposals on the campaign trail was a sweeping plan to combat gun violence, which includes a federal gun licensing program, in addition to many policies mentioned in this questionnaire. I also released a comprehensive plan to prevent firearm suicides, an aspect of the gun violence epidemic that rarely gets the attention it deserves.” | This is a personal fight for me. My perspective is rooted in my experience living in Newark, N.J., and working to stem the tide of violence for the past 20+ years — as a tenant organizer, on the City Council, as mayor and as a U.S. senator. That is why one of my first policy proposals on the campaign trail was a sweeping plan to combat gun violence, which includes a federal gun licensing program, in addition to many policies mentioned in this questionnaire. I also released a comprehensive plan to prevent firearm suicides, an aspect of the gun violence epidemic that rarely gets the attention it deserves.” |
| Has a formal plan? No | Has a formal plan? No |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: No national buyback, but “the federal government can support communities that choose to conduct voluntary buybacks” | Assault weapons buyback: No national buyback, but “the federal government can support communities that choose to conduct voluntary buybacks” |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (20 rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (20 rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: No | Licensing requirement: No |
| Higher minimum age: No | Higher minimum age: No |
| Waiting period: Yes (one “that provides sufficient time for a full background check of the purchaser”) | Waiting period: Yes (one “that provides sufficient time for a full background check of the purchaser”) |
| Cap on gun purchases: No | Cap on gun purchases: No |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: No | Safe-storage requirements: No |
| Registration requirement: No | Registration requirement: No |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unsure | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unsure |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “I support an assault weapons ban of military-style weapons like the AR-15 and AK-47.” | “I support an assault weapons ban of military-style weapons like the AR-15 and AK-47.” |
| “We should make it so assault weapons can no longer be sold or transferred, and the federal government can support communities that choose to conduct voluntary buybacks. These can be catalyzing moments for communities to raise awareness about gun violence while also hopefully creating an opportunity for police and community members to interact in a positive way. But while federal agencies can support local efforts, I do not believe a direct or mandatory federal buyback program should replace these kinds of voluntary, community-based efforts.” | “We should make it so assault weapons can no longer be sold or transferred, and the federal government can support communities that choose to conduct voluntary buybacks. These can be catalyzing moments for communities to raise awareness about gun violence while also hopefully creating an opportunity for police and community members to interact in a positive way. But while federal agencies can support local efforts, I do not believe a direct or mandatory federal buyback program should replace these kinds of voluntary, community-based efforts.” |
| “I would support legislation that allows the courts to determine whether an individual represents sufficient threat to themselves or others that they should have firearms removed from their residence and denied the ability to purchase a firearm.” | “I would support legislation that allows the courts to determine whether an individual represents sufficient threat to themselves or others that they should have firearms removed from their residence and denied the ability to purchase a firearm.” |
| N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A |
| “I will rely on scientists from the C.D.C., N.I.H., the V.A. (to deal with the epidemic of veterans’ suicides), and across the government to identify the areas of greatest opportunity and provide their expert judgments to help guide my budget proposals.” | “I will rely on scientists from the C.D.C., N.I.H., the V.A. (to deal with the epidemic of veterans’ suicides), and across the government to identify the areas of greatest opportunity and provide their expert judgments to help guide my budget proposals.” |
| “Under current practice, the default is to allow a sale to proceed if the check is not completed within three days. I would reverse this so that a gun sale may not occur until a background check is completed. I would also provide more resources to the A.T.F. for inspection of federally licensed firearms dealers, as it inspects fewer than 1/10 of FFL facilities annually, and direct the agency to prioritize revocation of licenses to dealers who routinely fail A.T.F. inspections.” | “Under current practice, the default is to allow a sale to proceed if the check is not completed within three days. I would reverse this so that a gun sale may not occur until a background check is completed. I would also provide more resources to the A.T.F. for inspection of federally licensed firearms dealers, as it inspects fewer than 1/10 of FFL facilities annually, and direct the agency to prioritize revocation of licenses to dealers who routinely fail A.T.F. inspections.” |
| “Washington has become a place where talking has taken the place of doing. The Senate is broken, and the partisan filibuster is impeding the functioning of good government. I support eliminating the filibuster so that we can take action not just on gun violence, but on every major challenge our country faces. I also believe that gun owners and non-gun owners alike expect Washington to take action when it comes to gun violence and gun safety.” | “Washington has become a place where talking has taken the place of doing. The Senate is broken, and the partisan filibuster is impeding the functioning of good government. I support eliminating the filibuster so that we can take action not just on gun violence, but on every major challenge our country faces. I also believe that gun owners and non-gun owners alike expect Washington to take action when it comes to gun violence and gun safety.” |
| “Yes, I do believe that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to bear arms. But all rights come with responsibilities, especially when it comes to protections for public safety such as background checks on every gun purchase, red flag laws, prohibitions on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines, and the further sale of assault weapons.” | “Yes, I do believe that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to bear arms. But all rights come with responsibilities, especially when it comes to protections for public safety such as background checks on every gun purchase, red flag laws, prohibitions on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines, and the further sale of assault weapons.” |
| “I believe that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to bear arms, but rights come with responsibilities — protecting our rights doesn’t mean sacrificing the safety of our families and our communities. I’m a gun owner, and every gun owner I know wants safe schools and communities. We can come together to pursue common sense solutions to save lives and end gun violence. Enough is enough.” | “I believe that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to bear arms, but rights come with responsibilities — protecting our rights doesn’t mean sacrificing the safety of our families and our communities. I’m a gun owner, and every gun owner I know wants safe schools and communities. We can come together to pursue common sense solutions to save lives and end gun violence. Enough is enough.” |
| “We need to look at guns as a public health issue and not a political issue. That is how we can make changes to protect American lives. The biggest impediment to addressing this public health issue is dark money in our politics. The N.R.A. spent $30 million to make sure that Donald Trump was elected. When I was growing up, the N.R.A. used to be a gun safety and hunting organization. Now it’s a dark-money-fueled political organization that does nothing but drive us apart. We need to end the corrupting influence of dark money in our elections and finally come together to put an end to gun violence and keep our communities safe.” | “We need to look at guns as a public health issue and not a political issue. That is how we can make changes to protect American lives. The biggest impediment to addressing this public health issue is dark money in our politics. The N.R.A. spent $30 million to make sure that Donald Trump was elected. When I was growing up, the N.R.A. used to be a gun safety and hunting organization. Now it’s a dark-money-fueled political organization that does nothing but drive us apart. We need to end the corrupting influence of dark money in our elections and finally come together to put an end to gun violence and keep our communities safe.” |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: No (“If you can join the armed services at 18, you should be able to buy a gun at 18”) | Higher minimum age: No (“If you can join the armed services at 18, you should be able to buy a gun at 18”) |
| Waiting period: No (“I support a permit-to-purchase gun licensing program. Given the time- and background-intensive nature of that process, I don’t believe an additional waiting period is critical”) | Waiting period: No (“I support a permit-to-purchase gun licensing program. Given the time- and background-intensive nature of that process, I don’t believe an additional waiting period is critical”) |
| Cap on gun purchases: No | Cap on gun purchases: No |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: No | Registration requirement: No |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “As a veteran, I define assault weapons as military-grade weapons of war that have no place in our neighborhoods. I don’t believe we need to regulate any non-assault weapons beyond those already subject to National Firearms Act restrictions.” | “As a veteran, I define assault weapons as military-grade weapons of war that have no place in our neighborhoods. I don’t believe we need to regulate any non-assault weapons beyond those already subject to National Firearms Act restrictions.” |
| “I support a robust, voluntary buyback program, offering at least market-rate value for an assault weapon. Practically, that means using the successful 1994 Assault Weapons Ban as a baseline, and updating it to cover new models and firearm technologies in the 25 years since.” | “I support a robust, voluntary buyback program, offering at least market-rate value for an assault weapon. Practically, that means using the successful 1994 Assault Weapons Ban as a baseline, and updating it to cover new models and firearm technologies in the 25 years since.” |
| “We need a red-flag law that allows a judge to work with local law enforcement to temporarily seize legally owned guns if the judge determines, through a court proceeding that ensures due-process protection, that someone is an immediate threat to themselves or others. The judge would then be able to work with local partners to get that person the help they need, and ultimately return the firearms once the threat has subsided. This model has proven successful in states across the country, and it’s time we made it the national standard.” | “We need a red-flag law that allows a judge to work with local law enforcement to temporarily seize legally owned guns if the judge determines, through a court proceeding that ensures due-process protection, that someone is an immediate threat to themselves or others. The judge would then be able to work with local partners to get that person the help they need, and ultimately return the firearms once the threat has subsided. This model has proven successful in states across the country, and it’s time we made it the national standard.” |
| “I support a nationwide permit-to-purchase licensing program that would cover every type of gun.” | “I support a nationwide permit-to-purchase licensing program that would cover every type of gun.” |
| “Yes, it would apply retroactively. For too long, we’ve let dangerous people buy guns without undergoing a background check, with deadly results. We need to make sure anyone who owns or carries a gun is safe and licensed to do so. We would enforce this like we enforce driver’s licenses — after a reasonable grace period, law enforcement would be empowered to require anyone carrying or using a gun to produce their license.” | “Yes, it would apply retroactively. For too long, we’ve let dangerous people buy guns without undergoing a background check, with deadly results. We need to make sure anyone who owns or carries a gun is safe and licensed to do so. We would enforce this like we enforce driver’s licenses — after a reasonable grace period, law enforcement would be empowered to require anyone carrying or using a gun to produce their license.” |
| N/A | N/A |
| “Last year, the House allocated $50 million — $25 million each for the C.D.C. and the N.I.H. — to study the underpinnings of our gun violence epidemic, but the Senate has yet to approve it and the president has yet to support it. I think getting that money appropriated would be a good start.” | “Last year, the House allocated $50 million — $25 million each for the C.D.C. and the N.I.H. — to study the underpinnings of our gun violence epidemic, but the Senate has yet to approve it and the president has yet to support it. I think getting that money appropriated would be a good start.” |
| “All options need to be on the table when it comes to saving lives and ending the scourge of gun violence, including issuing A.T.F. regulations. But those are a short-term, temporary solution — they can be undone by a future Republican administration. Our priority must be passing comprehensive, common-sense gun laws to permanently end this crisis.” | “All options need to be on the table when it comes to saving lives and ending the scourge of gun violence, including issuing A.T.F. regulations. But those are a short-term, temporary solution — they can be undone by a future Republican administration. Our priority must be passing comprehensive, common-sense gun laws to permanently end this crisis.” |
| “Yes. For too long, Senate Republicans have used the arcane and undemocratic filibuster to thwart the will of the American people. In 2013, in the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, bipartisan, common-sense gun safety legislation failed despite receiving 54 votes in the Senate. It’s a pretty basic idea: If the vast majority of Americans support a policy, it shouldn’t require more than a simple majority in the Senate.” | “Yes. For too long, Senate Republicans have used the arcane and undemocratic filibuster to thwart the will of the American people. In 2013, in the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, bipartisan, common-sense gun safety legislation failed despite receiving 54 votes in the Senate. It’s a pretty basic idea: If the vast majority of Americans support a policy, it shouldn’t require more than a simple majority in the Senate.” |
| “I do. But Justice [Antonin] Scalia’s opinion explicitly notes that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and that effective gun safety laws are both constitutional and necessary. So while I respect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans, I don’t believe it prevents us from passing strict-comprehensive and effective gun reform laws.” | “I do. But Justice [Antonin] Scalia’s opinion explicitly notes that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and that effective gun safety laws are both constitutional and necessary. So while I respect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans, I don’t believe it prevents us from passing strict-comprehensive and effective gun reform laws.” |
| “I could write (and many people have written) a book answering this question. No answer I can give will fully reflect all of the complexities and nuances this question really requires. I respect that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to own and use a gun. And where there is a right, there is a responsibility. The notion of ‘responsibility’ is enshrined in the Second Amendment’s ‘a well regulated militia’ clause. I believe that all American gun owners have the responsibility to prove to their neighbors, communities and themselves that they are able to own and handle a gun responsibly. I believe there’s a way we can respect our Second Amendment rights while also guaranteeing the health and safety of all Americans. Our current laws don’t live up to that obligation.” | “I could write (and many people have written) a book answering this question. No answer I can give will fully reflect all of the complexities and nuances this question really requires. I respect that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to own and use a gun. And where there is a right, there is a responsibility. The notion of ‘responsibility’ is enshrined in the Second Amendment’s ‘a well regulated militia’ clause. I believe that all American gun owners have the responsibility to prove to their neighbors, communities and themselves that they are able to own and handle a gun responsibly. I believe there’s a way we can respect our Second Amendment rights while also guaranteeing the health and safety of all Americans. Our current laws don’t live up to that obligation.” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| Mr. Castro did not complete The Times’s survey. The answers below are based on his gun plan and his public statements. | Mr. Castro did not complete The Times’s survey. The answers below are based on his gun plan and his public statements. |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Unclear | Federal red-flag law: Unclear |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary, with registration requirement for those who don’t participate) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary, with registration requirement for those who don’t participate) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: Unclear | Higher minimum age: Unclear |
| Waiting period: Yes (length unclear) | Waiting period: Yes (length unclear) |
| Cap on gun purchases: Unclear | Cap on gun purchases: Unclear |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Unclear | Bump stock ban: Unclear |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Yes | Registration requirement: Yes |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Unclear | Federal anti-trafficking law: Unclear |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unclear | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unclear |
| Mr. Delaney did not complete The Times’s survey. The answers below are from his gun plan and public statements. | Mr. Delaney did not complete The Times’s survey. The answers below are from his gun plan and public statements. |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Unclear | Assault weapons buyback: Unclear |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (number of rounds unclear) | Magazine size limit: Yes (number of rounds unclear) |
| Licensing requirement: Unclear | Licensing requirement: Unclear |
| Higher minimum age: Unclear | Higher minimum age: Unclear |
| Waiting period: Unclear | Waiting period: Unclear |
| Cap on gun purchases: Unclear | Cap on gun purchases: Unclear |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Unclear | Close Charleston loophole: Unclear |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Unclear | Safe-storage requirements: Unclear |
| Registration requirement: Unclear | Registration requirement: Unclear |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Unclear | Federal anti-trafficking law: Unclear |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Unclear | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Unclear |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unclear | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unclear |
| Ms. Gabbard did not complete The Times’s survey. The answers below are from her website and public statements. | Ms. Gabbard did not complete The Times’s survey. The answers below are from her website and public statements. |
| Has a formal plan? No | Has a formal plan? No |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Unclear | Federal red-flag law: Unclear |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Unclear | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Unclear |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Unclear | Assault weapons buyback: Unclear |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (number of rounds unclear) | Magazine size limit: Yes (number of rounds unclear) |
| Licensing requirement: Unclear | Licensing requirement: Unclear |
| Higher minimum age: Unclear | Higher minimum age: Unclear |
| Waiting period: Unclear | Waiting period: Unclear |
| Cap on gun purchases: Unclear | Cap on gun purchases: Unclear |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Unclear | Close Charleston loophole: Unclear |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Unclear | Safe-storage requirements: Unclear |
| Registration requirement: Unclear | Registration requirement: Unclear |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Unclear | Federal anti-trafficking law: Unclear |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Unclear | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Unclear |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unclear | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unclear |
| Ms. Harris’s campaign completed the yes/no section of the survey but only one of the open-ended questions. | Ms. Harris’s campaign completed the yes/no section of the survey but only one of the open-ended questions. |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (mandatory) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (mandatory) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (number unclear) | Magazine size limit: Yes (number unclear) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: Yes (age unclear) | Higher minimum age: Yes (age unclear) |
| Waiting period: Yes (length unclear) | Waiting period: Yes (length unclear) |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes (number unclear) | Cap on gun purchases: Yes (number unclear) |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Yes | Registration requirement: Yes |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unclear | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unclear |
| “If Congress fails to pass comprehensive gun safety legislation in her first 100 days, Kamala would take executive action to consider any person or business that sells five or more guns for profit in a calendar year a firearms ‘dealer’ and thus require they conduct background checks on all gun sales; revoke the licenses of gun manufacturers and dealers that break the law; ban the importation of assault weapons; reverse Trump’s change to the definition of ‘fugitive from justice’ that has allowed thousands of fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants to buy guns; and close the ‘boyfriend loophole.’ Kamala was the first candidate to put executive actions at the center of her agenda to combat gun violence, because she is sick of waiting on Congress to act — and she won’t let their inaction stop her from taking immediate actions to keep more Americans safe from gun violence.” | “If Congress fails to pass comprehensive gun safety legislation in her first 100 days, Kamala would take executive action to consider any person or business that sells five or more guns for profit in a calendar year a firearms ‘dealer’ and thus require they conduct background checks on all gun sales; revoke the licenses of gun manufacturers and dealers that break the law; ban the importation of assault weapons; reverse Trump’s change to the definition of ‘fugitive from justice’ that has allowed thousands of fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants to buy guns; and close the ‘boyfriend loophole.’ Kamala was the first candidate to put executive actions at the center of her agenda to combat gun violence, because she is sick of waiting on Congress to act — and she won’t let their inaction stop her from taking immediate actions to keep more Americans safe from gun violence.” |
| These responses are from Carlie Waibel, a spokeswoman for the Klobuchar campaign. | These responses are from Carlie Waibel, a spokeswoman for the Klobuchar campaign. |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: Yes (21) | Higher minimum age: Yes (21) |
| Waiting period: Yes (10 days; Ms. Klobuchar’s campaign initially said she supported a waiting period of “at least three days” but said after this article was published that she supported a 10-day period) | |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes (on “bulk purchases of guns in short time periods”) | Cap on gun purchases: Yes (on “bulk purchases of guns in short time periods”) |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Unsure | Registration requirement: Unsure |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “Senator Klobuchar is a co-sponsor of the assault weapons ban as defined under Senator Feinstein’s Assault Weapons Ban of 2019.” | “Senator Klobuchar is a co-sponsor of the assault weapons ban as defined under Senator Feinstein’s Assault Weapons Ban of 2019.” |
| “Senator Klobuchar supports a voluntary weapons buyback program and focusing on passing the assault weapons ban.” | “Senator Klobuchar supports a voluntary weapons buyback program and focusing on passing the assault weapons ban.” |
| “Senator Klobuchar is a co-sponsor of Senator Feinstein’s Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, which supports and allows flexibility in state, tribal and local efforts to remove access to firearms from individuals who are a danger to themselves or others. In general, it would require a court to find by a preponderance of the evidence that someone poses a danger of causing harm to himself or others by having access to a firearm in order to issue an extreme risk protection order removing the gun for no more than a year without being renewed.” | “Senator Klobuchar is a co-sponsor of Senator Feinstein’s Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, which supports and allows flexibility in state, tribal and local efforts to remove access to firearms from individuals who are a danger to themselves or others. In general, it would require a court to find by a preponderance of the evidence that someone poses a danger of causing harm to himself or others by having access to a firearm in order to issue an extreme risk protection order removing the gun for no more than a year without being renewed.” |
| “Senator Klobuchar would consider this.” | “Senator Klobuchar would consider this.” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| N/A | N/A |
| “Senator Klobuchar will direct the C.D.C. to study gun violence as a public health issue and help identify approaches to reduce gun violence and save lives.” | “Senator Klobuchar will direct the C.D.C. to study gun violence as a public health issue and help identify approaches to reduce gun violence and save lives.” |
| “Senator Klobuchar would support expanding the A.T.F.’s regulatory authority, including giving the A.T.F. the explicit authority to regulate and ban bump stocks, directing the A.T.F. to release comprehensive statistical data on gun trafficking and supporting greater coordination between the A.T.F. and other federal agencies as well as state and local governments.” | “Senator Klobuchar would support expanding the A.T.F.’s regulatory authority, including giving the A.T.F. the explicit authority to regulate and ban bump stocks, directing the A.T.F. to release comprehensive statistical data on gun trafficking and supporting greater coordination between the A.T.F. and other federal agencies as well as state and local governments.” |
| “Senator Klobuchar has laid out a plan for her first 100 days that includes executive action she can take immediately to address gun violence without waiting for Congress, including immediately closing the ‘boyfriend loophole,’ considering gun violence as a public health issue in C.D.C. studies, cracking down on gun manufacturers and dealers that break the law, preventing people with severe mental illness from acquiring guns and preventing federal funding from being used to arm teachers. Senator Klobuchar would be willing to consider using getting rid of the legislative filibuster as leverage if Republicans refuse to legislate in good faith, but she is focused on winning the presidency and taking back the Senate and keeping the House.” | “Senator Klobuchar has laid out a plan for her first 100 days that includes executive action she can take immediately to address gun violence without waiting for Congress, including immediately closing the ‘boyfriend loophole,’ considering gun violence as a public health issue in C.D.C. studies, cracking down on gun manufacturers and dealers that break the law, preventing people with severe mental illness from acquiring guns and preventing federal funding from being used to arm teachers. Senator Klobuchar would be willing to consider using getting rid of the legislative filibuster as leverage if Republicans refuse to legislate in good faith, but she is focused on winning the presidency and taking back the Senate and keeping the House.” |
| “Senator Klobuchar believes that the Second Amendment protects a person’s right to keep and bear arms and feels that the part of the Heller opinion that says that the right, however, is not unlimited and that it is ‘not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose’ is very important. It provides a basis for the gun safety rules such as an assault weapons ban and magazine limits that need to pass today.” | “Senator Klobuchar believes that the Second Amendment protects a person’s right to keep and bear arms and feels that the part of the Heller opinion that says that the right, however, is not unlimited and that it is ‘not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose’ is very important. It provides a basis for the gun safety rules such as an assault weapons ban and magazine limits that need to pass today.” |
| “Senator Klobuchar believes that there are permissible limitations on the Second Amendment. As Justice Scalia said in Heller: ‘The right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited’ and it is ‘not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.’” | “Senator Klobuchar believes that there are permissible limitations on the Second Amendment. As Justice Scalia said in Heller: ‘The right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited’ and it is ‘not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.’” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| Has a formal plan? No | Has a formal plan? No |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (mandatory) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (mandatory) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: Yes (21) | Higher minimum age: Yes (21) |
| Waiting period: Yes (one week) | Waiting period: Yes (one week) |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes (five guns) | Cap on gun purchases: Yes (five guns) |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Yes | Registration requirement: Yes |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “Any semiautomatic weapon with features that facilitate high-power shooting, removable magazines, etc.” | “Any semiautomatic weapon with features that facilitate high-power shooting, removable magazines, etc.” |
| “Mandatory.” | “Mandatory.” |
| “Persons who have been Baker Acted, admitted into a mental institution or committed certain offenses that put them at risk of causing others or themselves harm. Individuals who have been red flagged would have to undergo a psychological test clearing them of having the capacity to safely own a gun. Law enforcement agencies, medical institutions and family members can petition a court.” | “Persons who have been Baker Acted, admitted into a mental institution or committed certain offenses that put them at risk of causing others or themselves harm. Individuals who have been red flagged would have to undergo a psychological test clearing them of having the capacity to safely own a gun. Law enforcement agencies, medical institutions and family members can petition a court.” |
| “License for all guns.” | “License for all guns.” |
| “All future purchases. Voluntarily retrospectively for current gun owners.” | “All future purchases. Voluntarily retrospectively for current gun owners.” |
| “Retroactively. Provide a two-year grace period to register. Enforcement of unregistered guns would result in fines for owners not in compliance.” | “Retroactively. Provide a two-year grace period to register. Enforcement of unregistered guns would result in fines for owners not in compliance.” |
| “I would initially allocate $10 million to study gun violence to be funded by the C.D.C.” | “I would initially allocate $10 million to study gun violence to be funded by the C.D.C.” |
| “Yes. It would be expanded to regulate the new laws to ban assault-style weapons, gun registry and registration enforcement.” | “Yes. It would be expanded to regulate the new laws to ban assault-style weapons, gun registry and registration enforcement.” |
| “Eliminate the filibuster and by executive order.” | “Eliminate the filibuster and by executive order.” |
| “Yes, I agree. An individual should be able to own a firearm outside of being in the militia for lawful purposes.” | “Yes, I agree. An individual should be able to own a firearm outside of being in the militia for lawful purposes.” |
| “It means a person has the right to own a firearm for recreation or personal protection. It does not mean you should be able to own any type of firearm, especially those that have the capacity to kill masses of people in a matter of seconds.” | “It means a person has the right to own a firearm for recreation or personal protection. It does not mean you should be able to own any type of firearm, especially those that have the capacity to kill masses of people in a matter of seconds.” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| These responses are from Chris Evans, a spokesman for the O’Rourke campaign. | These responses are from Chris Evans, a spokesman for the O’Rourke campaign. |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (mandatory) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (mandatory) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: Yes (21, but “those under 21 with hunting licenses will be able to lawfully possess firearms for hunting”) | Higher minimum age: Yes (21, but “those under 21 with hunting licenses will be able to lawfully possess firearms for hunting”) |
| Waiting period: Yes (10 days) | Waiting period: Yes (10 days) |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one per month) | Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one per month) |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Yes | Registration requirement: Yes |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No |
| “End influence of N.R.A. through the No PAC Act, which would ban PAC contributions to members of Congress or those seeking federal office. | “End influence of N.R.A. through the No PAC Act, which would ban PAC contributions to members of Congress or those seeking federal office. |
| Ban assault weapons, trigger cranks, silencers, bump stocks and high-capacity magazines. | Ban assault weapons, trigger cranks, silencers, bump stocks and high-capacity magazines. |
| Implement a MANDATORY buyback program for assault weapons. | Implement a MANDATORY buyback program for assault weapons. |
| Direct A.T.F. to deem any individual or business that sells over five guns in a single year a gun ‘dealer.’ Subject dealers to background check requirements. | Direct A.T.F. to deem any individual or business that sells over five guns in a single year a gun ‘dealer.’ Subject dealers to background check requirements. |
| Undo regulatory action that allows access to the 3D printing of guns. | Undo regulatory action that allows access to the 3D printing of guns. |
| Hold banks and credit card companies accountable by calling on them to refuse to provide their services for the sale of assault weapons, refuse to provide their services for the sale of firearms online or at gun shows, and stop doing business with gun or ammunition manufacturers who produce or sell assault weapons.” | Hold banks and credit card companies accountable by calling on them to refuse to provide their services for the sale of assault weapons, refuse to provide their services for the sale of firearms online or at gun shows, and stop doing business with gun or ammunition manufacturers who produce or sell assault weapons.” |
| “Assault weapons are defined as those guns listed in the 2019 Assault Weapons Ban, which includes all AR and AK variants. It also includes semiautomatic rifles with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, or those that can accept a detachable magazine plus any one of the following enhancements: a pistol grip, forward grip, folding/telescoping/detachable stock, grenade launcher, barrel shroud, or threaded barrel; semiautomatic pistols with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, or those that can accept a detachable magazine plus any one of the following enhancements: a threaded barrel, second pistol grip, barrel shroud, the capacity to accept a detachable magazine outside the pistol grip, a manufactured weight above 50 ounces when unloaded, or a stabilizing brace; semiautomatic shotguns with any of the following: a folding/telescoping/detachable stock, pistol grip, the capacity to accept more than five rounds, the capacity to accept a detached magazine, forward grip, or a grenade launcher. | “Assault weapons are defined as those guns listed in the 2019 Assault Weapons Ban, which includes all AR and AK variants. It also includes semiautomatic rifles with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, or those that can accept a detachable magazine plus any one of the following enhancements: a pistol grip, forward grip, folding/telescoping/detachable stock, grenade launcher, barrel shroud, or threaded barrel; semiautomatic pistols with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, or those that can accept a detachable magazine plus any one of the following enhancements: a threaded barrel, second pistol grip, barrel shroud, the capacity to accept a detachable magazine outside the pistol grip, a manufactured weight above 50 ounces when unloaded, or a stabilizing brace; semiautomatic shotguns with any of the following: a folding/telescoping/detachable stock, pistol grip, the capacity to accept more than five rounds, the capacity to accept a detached magazine, forward grip, or a grenade launcher. |
| Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder and any part or device that is designed or functions to accelerate the rate of fire of a semiautomatic rifle but not convert the semiautomatic rifle into a machine gun are also included.” | Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder and any part or device that is designed or functions to accelerate the rate of fire of a semiautomatic rifle but not convert the semiautomatic rifle into a machine gun are also included.” |
| “Beto supports a mandatory buyback program for assault weapons and a voluntary buyback program for handguns. Under a mandatory buyback program, Americans who own assault weapons such as AR-15s or AK-47s will have to sell them to the government. An independent commission would be established to determine compensation, using market value as a benchmark. When a mandatory buyback program for assault weapons is enacted, it is the law. We expect people to follow the law here in the United States, and we know that Americans are law-abiding people. Under the proposal, if you refuse to follow the law and give up a weapon of war that has no place in our communities, you will be fined. The program would be paid for with a tax on gun manufacturers.” | “Beto supports a mandatory buyback program for assault weapons and a voluntary buyback program for handguns. Under a mandatory buyback program, Americans who own assault weapons such as AR-15s or AK-47s will have to sell them to the government. An independent commission would be established to determine compensation, using market value as a benchmark. When a mandatory buyback program for assault weapons is enacted, it is the law. We expect people to follow the law here in the United States, and we know that Americans are law-abiding people. Under the proposal, if you refuse to follow the law and give up a weapon of war that has no place in our communities, you will be fined. The program would be paid for with a tax on gun manufacturers.” |
| “As president, Beto will establish a federal red-flag law, allowing police departments in states without red-flag laws to petition in federal courts to have weapons removed from those who present a danger to themselves or others.” | “As president, Beto will establish a federal red-flag law, allowing police departments in states without red-flag laws to petition in federal courts to have weapons removed from those who present a danger to themselves or others.” |
| “As president, Beto would create a nationwide gun licensing system and registry that will ensure individuals seeking a gun undergo an assessment by law enforcement and a background check. Individuals must be 21 years old to receive a license, will be required to complete a certified gun safety training, and will need to renew their license every five years. Those under 21 with hunting licenses will be able to possess firearms for hunting.” | “As president, Beto would create a nationwide gun licensing system and registry that will ensure individuals seeking a gun undergo an assessment by law enforcement and a background check. Individuals must be 21 years old to receive a license, will be required to complete a certified gun safety training, and will need to renew their license every five years. Those under 21 with hunting licenses will be able to possess firearms for hunting.” |
| “Yes. Individuals will be required to obtain a license if they want to own a gun. When a nationwide gun licensing system is enacted, it is the law. We expect people to follow the law here in the United States, and we know that Americans are law-abiding people.” | “Yes. Individuals will be required to obtain a license if they want to own a gun. When a nationwide gun licensing system is enacted, it is the law. We expect people to follow the law here in the United States, and we know that Americans are law-abiding people.” |
| “Yes. Individuals will be required to register their guns through a registry. All new handguns will be microstamped. When a gun registry program is enacted, it is the law. We expect people to follow the law here in the United States, and we know that Americans are law-abiding people.” | “Yes. Individuals will be required to register their guns through a registry. All new handguns will be microstamped. When a gun registry program is enacted, it is the law. We expect people to follow the law here in the United States, and we know that Americans are law-abiding people.” |
| “As president, Beto would increase funding for the C.D.C. and N.I.H. to conduct research on gun violence. That includes investing $320 million annually for the C.D.C. and N.I.H. to address the gaps in our ability to study gun violence.” | “As president, Beto would increase funding for the C.D.C. and N.I.H. to conduct research on gun violence. That includes investing $320 million annually for the C.D.C. and N.I.H. to address the gaps in our ability to study gun violence.” |
| O’Rourke: “Yes. First of all, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (A.T.F.) has been underfunded and restricted in its ability to perform sufficient oversight on the gun industry. That’s why Beto will ensure his budget includes robust funding for A.T.F.’s regulatory oversight functions and removes budget riders that will burden the agency’s ability to do its job. Beto will also enable the A.T.F. to purchase any banned assault weapons presented to the agency, and he will direct the A.T.F. to deem any individual or business that sells over five guns in a single year a gun dealer. Additionally, for full oversight of the gun industry, Beto will work with Congress to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and support the Firearm Safety Act, which restores the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s jurisdiction over firearms and firearm component safety regulations.” | O’Rourke: “Yes. First of all, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (A.T.F.) has been underfunded and restricted in its ability to perform sufficient oversight on the gun industry. That’s why Beto will ensure his budget includes robust funding for A.T.F.’s regulatory oversight functions and removes budget riders that will burden the agency’s ability to do its job. Beto will also enable the A.T.F. to purchase any banned assault weapons presented to the agency, and he will direct the A.T.F. to deem any individual or business that sells over five guns in a single year a gun dealer. Additionally, for full oversight of the gun industry, Beto will work with Congress to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and support the Firearm Safety Act, which restores the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s jurisdiction over firearms and firearm component safety regulations.” |
| “Yes, Beto supports eliminating the filibuster so we are able to combat an epidemic of gun violence that claimed the lives of 40,000 Americans in 2017.” | “Yes, Beto supports eliminating the filibuster so we are able to combat an epidemic of gun violence that claimed the lives of 40,000 Americans in 2017.” |
| “Beto believes the Constitution provides for a right to bear arms, but believes that the Second Amendment allows for regulation and supports sensible gun laws.” | “Beto believes the Constitution provides for a right to bear arms, but believes that the Second Amendment allows for regulation and supports sensible gun laws.” |
| “Courts, including conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, have recognized that regulation of ‘dangerous or unusual weapons’ does not violate the Second Amendment. Weapons of war that were designed to kill people on the battlefield as effectively, as efficiently, and in as great a number as possible have no place in our communities. The Second Amendment allows for regulation and supports sensible gun laws.” | “Courts, including conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, have recognized that regulation of ‘dangerous or unusual weapons’ does not violate the Second Amendment. Weapons of war that were designed to kill people on the battlefield as effectively, as efficiently, and in as great a number as possible have no place in our communities. The Second Amendment allows for regulation and supports sensible gun laws.” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| Has a formal plan? No | Has a formal plan? No |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (number unclear) | Magazine size limit: Yes (number unclear) |
| Licensing requirement: Unsure | Licensing requirement: Unsure |
| Higher minimum age: Yes (age unclear) | Higher minimum age: Yes (age unclear) |
| Waiting period: Yes (length unclear) | Waiting period: Yes (length unclear) |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes (number unclear) | Cap on gun purchases: Yes (number unclear) |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Yes | Registration requirement: Yes |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “Voluntary.” | “Voluntary.” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| N/A | N/A |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “My administration will use all resources at its disposal to achieve passage of my policies.” | “My administration will use all resources at its disposal to achieve passage of my policies.” |
| “No. The Heller decision misinterprets the Second Amendment.” | “No. The Heller decision misinterprets the Second Amendment.” |
| “I believe my answers to the questions in this survey adequately explain my understanding of the Second Amendment.” | “I believe my answers to the questions in this survey adequately explain my understanding of the Second Amendment.” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| These responses are from Joe Calvello, a spokesman for the Sanders campaign. | These responses are from Joe Calvello, a spokesman for the Sanders campaign. |
| Has a formal plan? No | Has a formal plan? No |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: Yes (21, “except for long guns and shotguns with fixed-capacity magazines that are primarily intended for hunting”) | Higher minimum age: Yes (21, “except for long guns and shotguns with fixed-capacity magazines that are primarily intended for hunting”) |
| Waiting period: Yes (“At the very minimum, no one should be able to go home with a gun until a background check is complete. In consultation with experts in firearms misuse and suicide, the federal government should develop an appropriate time frame.”) | Waiting period: Yes (“At the very minimum, no one should be able to go home with a gun until a background check is complete. In consultation with experts in firearms misuse and suicide, the federal government should develop an appropriate time frame.”) |
| Cap on gun purchases: No | Cap on gun purchases: No |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Yes | Registration requirement: Yes |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unclear | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unclear |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “Senator Sanders is proud to co-sponsor Senator Feinstein’s S. 66, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019, and agrees with the definitions in that bill.” | “Senator Sanders is proud to co-sponsor Senator Feinstein’s S. 66, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019, and agrees with the definitions in that bill.” |
| “Bernie will ban the manufacture, sale and transfer of these weapons of war. Period. And he will implement a voluntary buyback program to get these weapons off the streets. He will also regulate assault weapons in the same way that we currently regulate fully automatic weapons — a system that essentially makes them unlawful to own and requires licensing and registration.” | “Bernie will ban the manufacture, sale and transfer of these weapons of war. Period. And he will implement a voluntary buyback program to get these weapons off the streets. He will also regulate assault weapons in the same way that we currently regulate fully automatic weapons — a system that essentially makes them unlawful to own and requires licensing and registration.” |
| “Yes. Bernie supports legislation to ensure we keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and stalkers, and red-flag laws such as the one in place in Vermont which allow for temporary removal of firearms from those deemed by a state court a danger to themselves or others.” | “Yes. Bernie supports legislation to ensure we keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and stalkers, and red-flag laws such as the one in place in Vermont which allow for temporary removal of firearms from those deemed by a state court a danger to themselves or others.” |
| “Yes, for assault weapons like the AR-15. Bernie will require gun licenses for assault weapons in order to regulate them the same way that we currently regulate fully automatic weapons — a system that essentially makes them unlawful to own. He has co-sponsored legislation to provide grants to states to improve handgun licensing programs.” | “Yes, for assault weapons like the AR-15. Bernie will require gun licenses for assault weapons in order to regulate them the same way that we currently regulate fully automatic weapons — a system that essentially makes them unlawful to own. He has co-sponsored legislation to provide grants to states to improve handgun licensing programs.” |
| “Yes, for assault weapons like the AR-15. The same way we went about this process with automatic weapons.” | “Yes, for assault weapons like the AR-15. The same way we went about this process with automatic weapons.” |
| “Yes, for assault weapons like the AR-15. The same way we went about this process with automatic weapons.” | “Yes, for assault weapons like the AR-15. The same way we went about this process with automatic weapons.” |
| “At least $50 million annually — for research on the causes of gun violence, its consequences for public health and common-sense solutions to curb gun violence.” | “At least $50 million annually — for research on the causes of gun violence, its consequences for public health and common-sense solutions to curb gun violence.” |
| “Yes. We must give the A.T.F. the authority to hold negligent and corrupt gun dealers accountable.” | “Yes. We must give the A.T.F. the authority to hold negligent and corrupt gun dealers accountable.” |
| “As was the case with workers’ rights, the civil rights movement, the women’s movement, the gay rights movement and the environmental movement, the only way transformational change happens is when millions of people stand up and demand it. | “As was the case with workers’ rights, the civil rights movement, the women’s movement, the gay rights movement and the environmental movement, the only way transformational change happens is when millions of people stand up and demand it. |
| As Bernie has said previously about Medicare for All and the Green New Deal — before we even get to the issue of the filibuster, we need 50 senators who are prepared to do what we, as a nation, have a moral obligation to accomplish, and that is to pass comprehensive gun safety legislation. | As Bernie has said previously about Medicare for All and the Green New Deal — before we even get to the issue of the filibuster, we need 50 senators who are prepared to do what we, as a nation, have a moral obligation to accomplish, and that is to pass comprehensive gun safety legislation. |
| Once we have, and Bernie believes it will be sooner than later, a Democratic majority that is prepared to take on the greed and the corruption of the fossil fuel industry and vote for sweeping gun safety reform in the House and the Senate, we will pass it. That means enacting real filibuster reform, including the return to requiring a talking filibuster. It is not right that one senator can grind the entire legislative process to a halt. | Once we have, and Bernie believes it will be sooner than later, a Democratic majority that is prepared to take on the greed and the corruption of the fossil fuel industry and vote for sweeping gun safety reform in the House and the Senate, we will pass it. That means enacting real filibuster reform, including the return to requiring a talking filibuster. It is not right that one senator can grind the entire legislative process to a halt. |
| Further, the budget reconciliation process, with 50 votes, has been used time and time again to pass major pieces of legislation, and under our Constitution and the rules of the Senate, it is the vice president who determines what is and is not permissible under budget reconciliation. While a president does not have the power to abolish the filibuster, a vice president in a Bernie Sanders administration will determine that gun safety reform, a Green New Deal and Medicare for All can pass through the Senate under reconciliation and are not in violation of the rules.” | Further, the budget reconciliation process, with 50 votes, has been used time and time again to pass major pieces of legislation, and under our Constitution and the rules of the Senate, it is the vice president who determines what is and is not permissible under budget reconciliation. While a president does not have the power to abolish the filibuster, a vice president in a Bernie Sanders administration will determine that gun safety reform, a Green New Deal and Medicare for All can pass through the Senate under reconciliation and are not in violation of the rules.” |
| “No. In 2004, Bernie voted against a bill that would repeal the District of Columbia’s laws that prohibit the sale and possession of handguns, handgun ammunition and semiautomatic weapons not banned by federal law. In 1999, Sanders voted against two amendments to weaken the District of Columbia’s laws.” | “No. In 2004, Bernie voted against a bill that would repeal the District of Columbia’s laws that prohibit the sale and possession of handguns, handgun ammunition and semiautomatic weapons not banned by federal law. In 1999, Sanders voted against two amendments to weaken the District of Columbia’s laws.” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: No | Higher minimum age: No |
| Waiting period: Yes (one week) | Waiting period: Yes (one week) |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one per month) | Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one per month) |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: No | Registration requirement: No |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No |
| “Close the ‘gun kit’ loophole; close the ‘ghost gun’ loophole.” | “Close the ‘gun kit’ loophole; close the ‘ghost gun’ loophole.” |
| “An assault weapon is a semiautomatic firearm, typically used as a weapon of war. They are based on weapons designed and built for the military, but have been essentially relabeled for civilian consumer use. Having served in the military for 31 years, I know the kind of rapid damage these weapons do. We should not have these weapons on the streets. As for banning any ‘non-assault’ weapons, I support existing bans on other types of military weapons and would consider other weapons on a case-by-case basis.” | “An assault weapon is a semiautomatic firearm, typically used as a weapon of war. They are based on weapons designed and built for the military, but have been essentially relabeled for civilian consumer use. Having served in the military for 31 years, I know the kind of rapid damage these weapons do. We should not have these weapons on the streets. As for banning any ‘non-assault’ weapons, I support existing bans on other types of military weapons and would consider other weapons on a case-by-case basis.” |
| “I would support a voluntary buyback program and would spend as much money as needs to be spent.” | “I would support a voluntary buyback program and would spend as much money as needs to be spent.” |
| “I am open to a range of different models for a federal red-flag law, but currently envision a plan with judicial oversight as its cornerstone. I believe a judge will have to make each decision, including the time period (and given this stricture, I don’t believe there should be a minimum or maximum time period). Judges should make each decision based on their assessment of whether or not a person is a danger to themselves or to the public. If a judge believes a person is dangerous, they should be able to remove their guns. And anyone should be able to flag another person, so long as they have reason to believe the person is dangerous (meaning it could be a friend, relative, teacher, doctor, therapist, police officer, or even a stranger who has been given reason to believe someone is dangerous). The person from whom guns are taken would need to petition the court to get their guns back.” | “I am open to a range of different models for a federal red-flag law, but currently envision a plan with judicial oversight as its cornerstone. I believe a judge will have to make each decision, including the time period (and given this stricture, I don’t believe there should be a minimum or maximum time period). Judges should make each decision based on their assessment of whether or not a person is a danger to themselves or to the public. If a judge believes a person is dangerous, they should be able to remove their guns. And anyone should be able to flag another person, so long as they have reason to believe the person is dangerous (meaning it could be a friend, relative, teacher, doctor, therapist, police officer, or even a stranger who has been given reason to believe someone is dangerous). The person from whom guns are taken would need to petition the court to get their guns back.” |
| “We should require a license to own a gun. I believe all types of guns should require licensing.” | “We should require a license to own a gun. I believe all types of guns should require licensing.” |
| “Yes, I believe gun licensing should apply retroactively, with a significant period of time as a grace period. After the grace period, individuals who have failed to get licensed will be subject to fines and possibly other punishments.” | “Yes, I believe gun licensing should apply retroactively, with a significant period of time as a grace period. After the grace period, individuals who have failed to get licensed will be subject to fines and possibly other punishments.” |
| N/A | N/A |
| “I would consult with organizations dedicated to fighting gun violence, including advocacy groups, police officer organizations and medical professionals, along with C.D.C. staff and members of Congress to determine how much funding is required for research on gun violence.” | “I would consult with organizations dedicated to fighting gun violence, including advocacy groups, police officer organizations and medical professionals, along with C.D.C. staff and members of Congress to determine how much funding is required for research on gun violence.” |
| “I would need to expand the A.T.F.’s authority to deal with various new laws, including red-flag laws, licensing requirements, background checks and more. I would also be open to expanding it in other ways, as needed.” | “I would need to expand the A.T.F.’s authority to deal with various new laws, including red-flag laws, licensing requirements, background checks and more. I would also be open to expanding it in other ways, as needed.” |
| “I do not support eliminating the filibuster. It was a bad idea when Harry Reid first did it for judicial nominations, and it has been even worse since Mitch McConnell expanded the ‘nuclear option’ to Supreme Court nominations. Even if Democrats take control of the Senate, there’s no guarantee we will maintain it, so eliminating the filibuster will inevitably come back to bite us. I am open to reducing the number of votes required to overturn a filibuster (to 55 instead of 60), so that should make it easier to pass common-sense gun policy reforms. However, if need be, I would work directly with Republican senators as well as with the people themselves throughout the country to win support for needed gun reforms. This issue is so vitally important — with the people’s help, we must be able to convince a few sensible Republicans of our point of view.” | “I do not support eliminating the filibuster. It was a bad idea when Harry Reid first did it for judicial nominations, and it has been even worse since Mitch McConnell expanded the ‘nuclear option’ to Supreme Court nominations. Even if Democrats take control of the Senate, there’s no guarantee we will maintain it, so eliminating the filibuster will inevitably come back to bite us. I am open to reducing the number of votes required to overturn a filibuster (to 55 instead of 60), so that should make it easier to pass common-sense gun policy reforms. However, if need be, I would work directly with Republican senators as well as with the people themselves throughout the country to win support for needed gun reforms. This issue is so vitally important — with the people’s help, we must be able to convince a few sensible Republicans of our point of view.” |
| “I do believe Heller was rightly decided, though I recognize that the founders’ intent was not entirely clear. I believe that hunting and self-defense are more than valid reasons to own guns, so I would never want to unduly restrict gun ownership in such a way that those are infringed upon. Importantly, the majority in the Heller decision found that reasonable restrictions are well within the scope of the Second Amendment. Therefore, it is appropriate to draw lines and make restrictions to keep our people safe, which is why I support a range of common-sense reforms.” | “I do believe Heller was rightly decided, though I recognize that the founders’ intent was not entirely clear. I believe that hunting and self-defense are more than valid reasons to own guns, so I would never want to unduly restrict gun ownership in such a way that those are infringed upon. Importantly, the majority in the Heller decision found that reasonable restrictions are well within the scope of the Second Amendment. Therefore, it is appropriate to draw lines and make restrictions to keep our people safe, which is why I support a range of common-sense reforms.” |
| “I do believe in an individual right to bear arms, as the Supreme Court decided in the Heller decision. Their opinion included the following statement: ‘Nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms.’ This decision removed the ‘slippery slope’ argument — that limiting the right to bear arms in any way is a slippery slope to a total ban — which is very important. Much like our First Amendment freedom of speech does not mean we can shout ‘fire!’ in a theater, the Second Amendment does not mean the right to bear arms is unlimited.” | “I do believe in an individual right to bear arms, as the Supreme Court decided in the Heller decision. Their opinion included the following statement: ‘Nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms.’ This decision removed the ‘slippery slope’ argument — that limiting the right to bear arms in any way is a slippery slope to a total ban — which is very important. Much like our First Amendment freedom of speech does not mean we can shout ‘fire!’ in a theater, the Second Amendment does not mean the right to bear arms is unlimited.” |
| “Though I favor common-sense gun laws, I also recognize that the issue of gun violence has many roots: trauma, mental health, suicide, drugs and poverty, to name a few. If we are to tackle the epidemic of gun violence, we need to address all of those issues, which is why my ‘Plan for America’ contains a range of policy proposals aimed at instituting universal health care (with strong mental health provisions), dealing with the opioid epidemic and fighting income inequality. When we make our whole society stronger, we will have less gun violence and violence of all sorts. We need a president who has the breadth and depth of experience to find solutions to all of the huge issues facing our country. That’s why I’m running for president.” | “Though I favor common-sense gun laws, I also recognize that the issue of gun violence has many roots: trauma, mental health, suicide, drugs and poverty, to name a few. If we are to tackle the epidemic of gun violence, we need to address all of those issues, which is why my ‘Plan for America’ contains a range of policy proposals aimed at instituting universal health care (with strong mental health provisions), dealing with the opioid epidemic and fighting income inequality. When we make our whole society stronger, we will have less gun violence and violence of all sorts. We need a president who has the breadth and depth of experience to find solutions to all of the huge issues facing our country. That’s why I’m running for president.” |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (10 rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: Yes (21) | Higher minimum age: Yes (21) |
| Waiting period: Yes (10 days) | Waiting period: Yes (10 days) |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one every 30 days) | Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one every 30 days) |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Yes | Registration requirement: Yes |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unsure, but “would work to repeal” the amendment | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? Unsure, but “would work to repeal” the amendment |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “I support banning the 3D printing of guns.” | “I support banning the 3D printing of guns.” |
| “I support a voluntary buyback program.” | “I support a voluntary buyback program.” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “All new gun purchases — regardless of type — should require a license and training.” | “All new gun purchases — regardless of type — should require a license and training.” |
| “I would encourage the voluntary licensing of old guns.” | “I would encourage the voluntary licensing of old guns.” |
| “I would encourage voluntary compliance with a registration requirement. Assault weapons would be subject to the 1934 Firearms Act.” | “I would encourage voluntary compliance with a registration requirement. Assault weapons would be subject to the 1934 Firearms Act.” |
| “I support dedicating at least $50 million to study this public health epidemic to the N.I.H. and the C.D.C.” | “I support dedicating at least $50 million to study this public health epidemic to the N.I.H. and the C.D.C.” |
| “I support giving A.T.F. the proper tools to hold negligent and corrupt gun dealers to account, including oversight of dealer inventories, improved suspension and revocation powers, and sufficient funding for regular inspections.” | “I support giving A.T.F. the proper tools to hold negligent and corrupt gun dealers to account, including oversight of dealer inventories, improved suspension and revocation powers, and sufficient funding for regular inspections.” |
| “I support eliminating the filibuster. Additionally, Everytown for Gun Safety has thoughtfully proposed 10 executive actions that the next president can take to protect the American people from gun violence. I fully support these measures.” | “I support eliminating the filibuster. Additionally, Everytown for Gun Safety has thoughtfully proposed 10 executive actions that the next president can take to protect the American people from gun violence. I fully support these measures.” |
| “I believe that the decision in District of Columbia v. Heller should be re-examined. I would appoint judges who share my view that laws concerning background checks, responsible storage, assault weapons and high-capacity magazine bans, and other common-sense gun controls are consistent with the Second Amendment.” | “I believe that the decision in District of Columbia v. Heller should be re-examined. I would appoint judges who share my view that laws concerning background checks, responsible storage, assault weapons and high-capacity magazine bans, and other common-sense gun controls are consistent with the Second Amendment.” |
| “There is space within the Second Amendment to protect hunters, sports enthusiasts and individuals to safely own and operate firearms while aggressively protecting Americans from mass shootings, homicides and domestic violence. Our nation grieves over the bodies of loved ones on a near-daily basis. It is time that we have someone in the White House that is willing to take action and ensure common-sense gun safety measures are enacted.” | “There is space within the Second Amendment to protect hunters, sports enthusiasts and individuals to safely own and operate firearms while aggressively protecting Americans from mass shootings, homicides and domestic violence. Our nation grieves over the bodies of loved ones on a near-daily basis. It is time that we have someone in the White House that is willing to take action and ensure common-sense gun safety measures are enacted.” |
| “Over the last two election cycles, I led the largest effort to engage and mobilize young voters. No other group of Americans understands the damage that guns can do better than our young people. It is an issue that they care about deeply, because it is something that has affected them firsthand. They’ve had to run the school shooting drills, they’ve seen members of their families and communities hurt by gun violence, and had it not been for them speaking out with such moral clarity and refusing to quiet down, too many would not now feel an urgency to act. That is why I was proud to partner with Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence and Everytown for Gun Safety on a nationwide initiative to register high school students to vote ahead of the midterm elections. | “Over the last two election cycles, I led the largest effort to engage and mobilize young voters. No other group of Americans understands the damage that guns can do better than our young people. It is an issue that they care about deeply, because it is something that has affected them firsthand. They’ve had to run the school shooting drills, they’ve seen members of their families and communities hurt by gun violence, and had it not been for them speaking out with such moral clarity and refusing to quiet down, too many would not now feel an urgency to act. That is why I was proud to partner with Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence and Everytown for Gun Safety on a nationwide initiative to register high school students to vote ahead of the midterm elections. |
| By and large, the American people agree on how we should solve this problem. They want Washington to act, pleaded with their representatives, and begged them to do something — anything. But the N.R.A., armed with money and lots of lobbyists, has corrupted our democracy, and instead, Washington politicians write the rules that put corporate profits over people. | By and large, the American people agree on how we should solve this problem. They want Washington to act, pleaded with their representatives, and begged them to do something — anything. But the N.R.A., armed with money and lots of lobbyists, has corrupted our democracy, and instead, Washington politicians write the rules that put corporate profits over people. |
| Over 90 percent of Americans agree that there should be universal background checks for gun purchases. They support stopping dangerous people from buying guns, waiting periods, and support federal databases to track gun sales. But because Congress refuses to cross a gun lobby that fill politicians’ campaign coffers, we see more senseless and preventable deaths. | Over 90 percent of Americans agree that there should be universal background checks for gun purchases. They support stopping dangerous people from buying guns, waiting periods, and support federal databases to track gun sales. But because Congress refuses to cross a gun lobby that fill politicians’ campaign coffers, we see more senseless and preventable deaths. |
| Enough is enough. This isn’t a conversation about the Second Amendment. This is a conversation about corruption and cowardice. Right now, Mitch McConnell and congressional Republicans are refusing to take up legislation that will help curb gun violence because the gun manufacturers and the N.R.A. won’t allow it. There‘s blood on their hands. But instead of washing them clean, they sit on them. If Congress continues to ignore its job, I’m prepared to take executive action.” | Enough is enough. This isn’t a conversation about the Second Amendment. This is a conversation about corruption and cowardice. Right now, Mitch McConnell and congressional Republicans are refusing to take up legislation that will help curb gun violence because the gun manufacturers and the N.R.A. won’t allow it. There‘s blood on their hands. But instead of washing them clean, they sit on them. If Congress continues to ignore its job, I’m prepared to take executive action.” |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (voluntary) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (but did not specify) | Magazine size limit: Yes (but did not specify) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: Yes (21) | Higher minimum age: Yes (21) |
| Waiting period: Yes (one week) | Waiting period: Yes (one week) |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one per month) | Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one per month) |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Yes | Registration requirement: Yes |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “The 1994 federal assault weapons ban successfully reduced gun deaths but was allowed to expire 10 years later. Congress should again ban the future production, sale and importation of military-style assault weapons, and require individuals already in possession of assault weapons to register them under the National Firearms Act.” | “The 1994 federal assault weapons ban successfully reduced gun deaths but was allowed to expire 10 years later. Congress should again ban the future production, sale and importation of military-style assault weapons, and require individuals already in possession of assault weapons to register them under the National Firearms Act.” |
| “Just as we did successfully with machine guns after the passage of that law, we should establish a buyback program to allow those who wish to do so to return their weapon for safe disposal, and individuals who fail to register or return their assault weapon should face penalties.” | “Just as we did successfully with machine guns after the passage of that law, we should establish a buyback program to allow those who wish to do so to return their weapon for safe disposal, and individuals who fail to register or return their assault weapon should face penalties.” |
| “Extreme-risk protection orders allow families and law enforcement to petition to temporarily restrict access to firearms for individuals in crisis or at elevated risk of harming themselves or others. Congress should pass a federal extreme risk law — similar to the model in my state of Massachusetts — and create a grant system to incentivize states to enact their own laws that clearly define extreme risk.” | “Extreme-risk protection orders allow families and law enforcement to petition to temporarily restrict access to firearms for individuals in crisis or at elevated risk of harming themselves or others. Congress should pass a federal extreme risk law — similar to the model in my state of Massachusetts — and create a grant system to incentivize states to enact their own laws that clearly define extreme risk.” |
| “I believe gun buyers should be required to obtain a firearms license from the federal government before purchasing a gun. We have that requirement in Massachusetts, and I am a co-sponsor of Senator [Edward] Markey’s bill to create incentives for similar laws nationwide. Congress should establish a straightforward federal licensing system for the purchase of any type of firearm or ammunition.” | “I believe gun buyers should be required to obtain a firearms license from the federal government before purchasing a gun. We have that requirement in Massachusetts, and I am a co-sponsor of Senator [Edward] Markey’s bill to create incentives for similar laws nationwide. Congress should establish a straightforward federal licensing system for the purchase of any type of firearm or ammunition.” |
| “Yes, I believe that all gun owners should be licensed.” | “Yes, I believe that all gun owners should be licensed.” |
| “Yes, I believe that all guns should be registered.” | “Yes, I believe that all guns should be registered.” |
| “My budget will include an annual investment of $100 million for D.O.J. and H.H.S. to conduct research into the root causes of gun violence and the most effective ways to prevent it. These funds will also be used to study the reforms we enact — to see what’s working, what new ideas should be added and what existing policies should be tweaked.” | “My budget will include an annual investment of $100 million for D.O.J. and H.H.S. to conduct research into the root causes of gun violence and the most effective ways to prevent it. These funds will also be used to study the reforms we enact — to see what’s working, what new ideas should be added and what existing policies should be tweaked.” |
| “Yes. My administration will exercise A.T.F.’s existing regulatory authority to the greatest degree possible, directing the A.T.F. to prioritize oversight of dealers with serial compliance violations and revoke the license of dealers who repeatedly violate the rules. Congress should fully fund A.T.F.’s regulatory and compliance programs and remove the riders and restrictions that prevent it from doing its job.” | “Yes. My administration will exercise A.T.F.’s existing regulatory authority to the greatest degree possible, directing the A.T.F. to prioritize oversight of dealers with serial compliance violations and revoke the license of dealers who repeatedly violate the rules. Congress should fully fund A.T.F.’s regulatory and compliance programs and remove the riders and restrictions that prevent it from doing its job.” |
| “Our nation can no longer be held hostage by the N.R.A. and the lawmakers in its pockets, a small group of well-financed extremists who have already made it perfectly clear that they will never put the safety of the American people first. As president, I will take executive action to rein in an out-of-control gun industry, and to hold both gun dealers and manufacturers accountable for the violence promoted by their products. I also support the elimination of the filibuster if required to achieve lasting gun reform.” | “Our nation can no longer be held hostage by the N.R.A. and the lawmakers in its pockets, a small group of well-financed extremists who have already made it perfectly clear that they will never put the safety of the American people first. As president, I will take executive action to rein in an out-of-control gun industry, and to hold both gun dealers and manufacturers accountable for the violence promoted by their products. I also support the elimination of the filibuster if required to achieve lasting gun reform.” |
| “Second Amendment rights are not unlimited, and I believe the government has the right to impose common-sense gun safety laws to protect our kids and our loved ones from gun violence.” | “Second Amendment rights are not unlimited, and I believe the government has the right to impose common-sense gun safety laws to protect our kids and our loved ones from gun violence.” |
| “All three of my brothers are gun owners and we can respect the right to own a gun. But we have a responsibility to keep our kids safe. The Second Amendment does not guarantee the right to own weapons of war. It definitely does not prevent the federal government from taking real action to keep our loved ones safe. I’ll do everything in my power as president to lead this fight.” | “All three of my brothers are gun owners and we can respect the right to own a gun. But we have a responsibility to keep our kids safe. The Second Amendment does not guarantee the right to own weapons of war. It definitely does not prevent the federal government from taking real action to keep our loved ones safe. I’ll do everything in my power as president to lead this fight.” |
| “The majority of Americans support sensible gun legislation, but even the most basic proposals, like universal background checks, are consistently blocked by far-right ideologues in Congress who are bought and paid for by the gun industry, their N.R.A. partners, and a supporting army of lobbyists and lawyers. But we are not incapable of solving big problems. We’ve done it before. | “The majority of Americans support sensible gun legislation, but even the most basic proposals, like universal background checks, are consistently blocked by far-right ideologues in Congress who are bought and paid for by the gun industry, their N.R.A. partners, and a supporting army of lobbyists and lawyers. But we are not incapable of solving big problems. We’ve done it before. |
| In 1965, more than five people died in automobile accidents for every 100 million miles traveled. It was a massive crisis, but as a nation, we decided to do better. Over 50 years, we reduced per-mile driving deaths by almost 80 percent and prevented 3.5 million automobile deaths. And we’re still going. My goal as president is to reduce the number of gun deaths in this country by 80 percent. We might not know how to get all the way there yet, but we will keep at it. We will end the ability of corrupt extremists to block our government from defending the lives of our people.” | In 1965, more than five people died in automobile accidents for every 100 million miles traveled. It was a massive crisis, but as a nation, we decided to do better. Over 50 years, we reduced per-mile driving deaths by almost 80 percent and prevented 3.5 million automobile deaths. And we’re still going. My goal as president is to reduce the number of gun deaths in this country by 80 percent. We might not know how to get all the way there yet, but we will keep at it. We will end the ability of corrupt extremists to block our government from defending the lives of our people.” |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Yes |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes (mandatory) | Assault weapons buyback: Yes (mandatory) |
| Magazine size limit: Yes (five rounds) | Magazine size limit: Yes (five rounds) |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: Yes (21) | Higher minimum age: Yes (21) |
| Waiting period: Yes (14 days) | Waiting period: Yes (14 days) |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one per month) | Cap on gun purchases: Yes (one per month) |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Yes | Close boyfriend loophole: Yes |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Yes | Registration requirement: Yes |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes | Federal anti-trafficking law: Yes |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: No | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: No |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| “The U.S. Army defines assault rifles as ‘short, compact, selective-fire weapons that fire a cartridge intermediate in power between submachine gun and rifle cartridges.’ I support a ban on assault weapons.” | “The U.S. Army defines assault rifles as ‘short, compact, selective-fire weapons that fire a cartridge intermediate in power between submachine gun and rifle cartridges.’ I support a ban on assault weapons.” |
| “Mandatory buyback. Review records of gun sales.” | “Mandatory buyback. Review records of gun sales.” |
| “A ‘red flag’ concern could be raised by a family member, friend, teacher, mental health professional or police officer. A court would determine if a person was a danger to himself or others. If so, the court would issue a protective order allowing the police to confiscate a weapon or weapons. The length of time for guns to be taken away would vary with the circumstances, with a minimum of one month and possibilities for extensions. For the subject to get their guns back, they would need to convince a judge they are not a risk to harm themselves or others.” | “A ‘red flag’ concern could be raised by a family member, friend, teacher, mental health professional or police officer. A court would determine if a person was a danger to himself or others. If so, the court would issue a protective order allowing the police to confiscate a weapon or weapons. The length of time for guns to be taken away would vary with the circumstances, with a minimum of one month and possibilities for extensions. For the subject to get their guns back, they would need to convince a judge they are not a risk to harm themselves or others.” |
| “All guns are potentially lethal and therefore all should require a license.” | “All guns are potentially lethal and therefore all should require a license.” |
| “Yes, anyone who owns a gun would need to be licensed. Anyone known to own a gun who does not register it will be prosecuted.” | “Yes, anyone who owns a gun would need to be licensed. Anyone known to own a gun who does not register it will be prosecuted.” |
| “Registration is most effective when combined with licensing. All gun owners would need to be licensed, and all their guns registered. Those in violation of the law would be prosecuted.” | “Registration is most effective when combined with licensing. All gun owners would need to be licensed, and all their guns registered. Those in violation of the law would be prosecuted.” |
| “I would restore the funding on gun violence research that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had before the Dickey Amendment in 1996 plus 50 percent more. Gun safety is a serious public health concern.” | “I would restore the funding on gun violence research that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had before the Dickey Amendment in 1996 plus 50 percent more. Gun safety is a serious public health concern.” |
| “I would remove the restrictions put on the A.T.F.’s authority by the Tiahrt Amendment attached to the Department of Justice appropriations since 2003, which prohibits the A.T.F. from releasing some gun data and from requiring gun dealers to submit their gun inventories to authorities.” | “I would remove the restrictions put on the A.T.F.’s authority by the Tiahrt Amendment attached to the Department of Justice appropriations since 2003, which prohibits the A.T.F. from releasing some gun data and from requiring gun dealers to submit their gun inventories to authorities.” |
| “Yes, I would consider eliminating the filibuster.” | “Yes, I would consider eliminating the filibuster.” |
| “The right of individuals to own guns needs to be balanced by the right of people in the community to public safety. The Heller decision was a more limited ruling than some gun advocates would like to admit, and is compatible with many gun laws that protect us today. Some examples of gun safety laws that the court said are lawful include keeping guns away from the mentally ill or felons, banning guns in schools and government buildings, and regulating the sale of weapons.” | “The right of individuals to own guns needs to be balanced by the right of people in the community to public safety. The Heller decision was a more limited ruling than some gun advocates would like to admit, and is compatible with many gun laws that protect us today. Some examples of gun safety laws that the court said are lawful include keeping guns away from the mentally ill or felons, banning guns in schools and government buildings, and regulating the sale of weapons.” |
| “‘A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.’ The founders could not foresee the current plethora of powerful guns that exist today. While I respect protecting the right of people to own guns, I don’t believe the Second Amendment allows free and easy access to guns the way it is now.” | “‘A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.’ The founders could not foresee the current plethora of powerful guns that exist today. While I respect protecting the right of people to own guns, I don’t believe the Second Amendment allows free and easy access to guns the way it is now.” |
| No answer. | No answer. |
| Mr. Yang did not complete The Times’s survey. The answers below are from his gun plan and public statements. | Mr. Yang did not complete The Times’s survey. The answers below are from his gun plan and public statements. |
| Has a formal plan? Yes | Has a formal plan? Yes |
| Universal background checks: Yes | Universal background checks: Yes |
| Federal red-flag law: Yes | Federal red-flag law: Yes |
| Incentivize state red-flag laws: Unclear | Incentivize state red-flag laws: Unclear |
| Assault weapons ban: Yes | Assault weapons ban: Yes |
| Assault weapons buyback: Yes, voluntary | Assault weapons buyback: Yes, voluntary |
| Magazine size limit: Yes, but did not specify | Magazine size limit: Yes, but did not specify |
| Licensing requirement: Yes | Licensing requirement: Yes |
| Higher minimum age: Unclear | Higher minimum age: Unclear |
| Waiting period: Yes, but length unclear | Waiting period: Yes, but length unclear |
| Cap on gun purchases: Yes, unspecified limit on frequency of purchases, not total number | Cap on gun purchases: Yes, unspecified limit on frequency of purchases, not total number |
| Close boyfriend loophole: Unclear | Close boyfriend loophole: Unclear |
| Close Charleston loophole: Yes | Close Charleston loophole: Yes |
| Bump stock ban: Yes | Bump stock ban: Yes |
| Safe-storage requirements: Yes | Safe-storage requirements: Yes |
| Registration requirement: Unclear | Registration requirement: Unclear |
| Federal anti-trafficking law: Unclear | Federal anti-trafficking law: Unclear |
| Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes | Civil liability for manufacturers and sellers: Yes |
| Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No | Would you sign a budget that included the Dickey Amendment? No |