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Mitt Romney on Gun Control
"I support the Second Amendment as one of the most basic and fundamental rights of every American."
Q: As governor you signed into law one of the toughest restrictions on assault weapons in the country. ROMNEY: Let's get the record straight. First of all, there's no question that I support 2nd Amendment rights, but I also support an assault weapon ban. Look, I've been governor in a pretty tough state. You've heard of blue states. In the toughest of blue states, I made the toughest decisions and did what was right for America. I have conservative values.
2007 Republican Debate in South Carolina May 15, 2007
"We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts. I support them and won't chip away at them. I believe they help protect us and provide for our safety."
He [Romney] joined the National Rifle Association just last year, after long-time support for an assault-weapons ban, waiting periods on gun sales, and even the so-called Brady Bill, which required criminal background checks on handgun purchasers.
Q: As governor you signed into law one of the toughest restrictions on assault weapons in the country. A: Let's get the record straight. First of all, there's no question that I support 2nd Amendment rights, but I also support an assault weapon ban. Look, I've been governor in a pretty tough state. You've heard of blue states. In the toughest of blue states, I made the toughest decisions and did what was right for America. I have conservative values.
2007 Republican Debate in South Carolina May 15, 2007
He [Romney] joined the National Rifle Association just last year, after long-time support for an assault-weapons ban, waiting periods on gun sales, and even the so-called Brady Bill, which required criminal background checks on handgun purchasers.
Stephanopoulos: Now you're a member of the NRA. Mitt Romney: Yes, and I know the NRA does not support an assault weapon ban. So I don't line up on that particular issue with the NRA, either does President Bush. He likewise says he supported an assault weapon ban.
Stephanopoulos: Let's talk about guns. You were supportive of the Brady bill, the handgun waiting period, in the past. You signed an assault weapon ban into law and you said, in the past, "I don't line up with the NRA." Now, you... Mitt Romney: Well, on that issue. Stephanopoulos: Now you're a member of the NRA. Mitt Romney: Yes, and I know the NRA does not support an assault weapon ban. So I don't line up on that particular issue with the NRA, either does President Bush. He likewise says he supported an assault weapon ban. Today we don't have the Brady bill because we have instantaneous background checks. That's no longer a operative or needed measure.