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Candidate Positions on Gun control

The following positions reflect those used for each candidate in the Select A Candidate survey. They come from the candidates; public statements, Web sites, and responses to Minnesota Public Radio questionnaires. In some cases, candidiates have failed to respond to inquiries, and their position is noted as "No known opinion."

Question: What are your views on firearm regulation?
Bob BarrBob Barr ANSWER OPTION: I do not support any regulation that inhibits the 2nd Amendment's Right to Bear Arms.
 CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Barr voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from three days to one, and sponsored bill banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (More Info)

John McCainJohn McCain ANSWER OPTION: I believe law abiding citizens have the right to keep and bear arms. I oppose bans on assault rifles, ammunition and ammunition magazines. I oppose litigation against gun manufacturers for crimes committed by third parties. I support background checks at gun shows. I believe that gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime.
 CANDIDATE'S POSITION: John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime. Law abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights because of criminals - criminals who ignore gun control laws anyway. (More Info)

Ralph NaderRalph Nader ANSWER OPTION: I support the Brady Bill, trigger locks, strict enforcement of existing gun laws, requiring licensing for gun owners and banning certain types of weapons.
 CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Nader has never held political office and holds no voting record, but has said he supports gun control. (More Info)

Barack ObamaBarack Obama ANSWER OPTION: I believe in the right to keep and bear arms. But, I think we need to renew the expired assault weapons ban and we must be aggressive about enforcing current gun laws. I believe in closing the gun show loophole and making firearms childproof.
 CANDIDATE'S POSITION: In response to questions from the Washington Post Obama said, "I do think that reasonable gun control measures reduces violent crime and saves lives. I respect the constitutional rights of Americans to bear arms. But we can't deny that gun violence has taken the lives of too many Americans. I believe that through common-sense measures, we can keep guns from those who may pose a threat, while also protecting the rights of legitimate hunters and sportsmen...I would close the gun-show loophole and require mandatory background checks on purchasers at gun shows...Closing it would not impair the rights of hunters and other lawful gun owners. I also believe that we should make the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban permanent. Those weapons belong on a foreign battlefield, not on our streets. Finally, I support making guns in this country child proof." (More Info)

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