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Bill Richardson on Gun Control
"The second Amendment is precious in the West. But I want to just state for the record, a vast majority of gun owners are law-abiding. This is an issue that deals with two fundamental problems in our system. The first is mental illness. We should ensure that all federal and state initiatives deal with making sure those with mental illnesses cannot get a gun. We should find ways to ensure that our schools get the help that they need to detect these mentally ill patients. Secondly, I'm for instant background checks. We have to make sure states are properly funded to be able to detect those problems."
South Carolina 2007 Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007
The National Rifle Association lent its endorsement this week to Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat. For governor. But as he mulls a run for president, Richardson's history of close relations with the NRA could set him apart from other Democrats seeking the party's bid. As Richardson noted, he's not the first Democrat to receive an NRA endorsement. "But there haven't been very many," he said. The NRA endorsement wasn't the first time Richardson has garnered the group's backing. "He's been a pretty solid guy on the gun issue," a member of the NRA's board of directors said. Whether that record could woo pro-Second Amendment voters into the Democratic fold in a national election is another question. The NRA endorsement cites Richardson's support for a law that allows New Mexico residents to carry concealed handguns with a permit. Richardson said he has earned a concealed-carry permit himself.
Albuquerque Tribune Oct 3, 2006, By Michael Gisick
"You don't want anyone who is mentally ill or with a criminal record having these guns."
"Q: Why do hunters need Street Sweepers or Uzi machine guns? A: The assault weapons ban did not work. Q: As president, would you seek to ban assault weapons? A: It didn't work. What I would do is I would focus more of our efforts on, for instance, background checks with those with criminal backgrounds and the mentally ill. We have to tighten up those background checks. The problem is the states don't have the database & the resources."
"The issue here, I believe, is instant background checks. Nobody who has a criminal record or is mentally ill should be able to get a weapon. That is the key. And that includes gun sales, gun sales at gun shows. The is going to be also, attacking poverty. Bringing people together. Dealing with those kids in the ghettos that are heavy users of gun violence and are victims of gun violence."
"What i would do, i would focus more of our efforts... for instance background checks with criminal backgrounds and the mentally ill. We have to tighten up those background checks."