2020 presidential candidates on gun regulation

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Presidential election
Donald Trump

Joe Biden

Howie Hawkins

Jo Jorgensen

This page includes statements from the 2020 presidential candidates on gun regulation. These statements were compiled from each candidate's official campaign website, editorials, speeches, and interviews.

The candidates featured on this page are the 2020 presidential nominees from the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, and Green parties.

Donald Trump
Joe Biden
Howie Hawkins
Jo Jorgensen

Gun regulation

Republican candidates

Donald Trump

Donald Trump's campaign website says, "The Second Amendment to our Constitution is clear. The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed upon. Gun and magazine bans are a total failure. The right of self-defense doesn’t stop at the end of your driveway. That’s why I have a concealed carry permit and why tens of millions of Americans do too. That permit should be valid in all 50 states." ^{[source, as of 2020-06-22]}

Mark Sanford

Mark Sanford said at a town hall, "My starting point is as a believer and proponent of the Second Amendment,” he said. “I’m not going to negotiate away the Second Amendment. That said, what the Supreme Court has said is the Second Amendment is indeed a constitutionally mandated right, but it’s not an unlimited right.” ^{[source, as of 2018-04-14]}

Joe Walsh

In an appearance on The Joe Show, Joe Walsh said, "It ain't guns. It ain't guns. It's not the gun, it's not the bomb. It's not the white van or the pickup truck, it's not the knife. It's the ideology behind the gun, it's the ideology behind the bomb. It's the evil that pulls the trigger, it's the evil that stabs the knife. You want to do something about this, America? You're tired of this, right? You're tired of these headlines? I sure am. Well then, quit focusing on guns. Focus on the ideology behind the guns. But you focus on the guns. These two killers this weekend, they both passed comprehensive background checks, so don't talk background checks to me. You want to get serious? Talk about mental health. Talk about the evil and the ideology that did what they did this weekend." ^{[source, as of 2019-08-05]}

Bill Weld

Bill Weld said at the Iowa State Fair, "My stance is not to have a supercharged background check on everybody everytime they buy a gun because I do not think that is where you reach the shooters. I think the red flag laws ... would be a giant step toward preventing the mass shootings that we are talking about." ^{[source, as of 2019-08-11]}

Democratic candidates

Joe Biden

Joe Biden's campaign website says, "As president, Biden will pursue constitutional, common-sense gun safety policies. Biden will: Hold gun manufacturers accountable. Ban the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Buy back the assault weapons and high-capacity magazines already in our communities. Reduce stockpiling of weapons. Require background checks for all gun sales. Create an effective program to ensure individuals who become prohibited from possessing firearms relinquish their weapons. Give states incentives to set up gun licensing programs."

Biden's campaign website also says he will, "Establish a new Task Force on Online Harassment and Abuse to focus on the connection between mass shootings, online harassment, extremism, and violence against women. Put America on the path to ensuring that 100% of firearms sold in America are smart guns. Prioritize prosecution of straw purchasers. Dedicate the brightest scientific minds to solving the gun violence public health epidemic. Prohibit the use of federal funds to arm or train educators to discharge firearms. Address the epidemic of suicides by firearms." ^{[source, as of 2019-10-02]}

Michael Bloomberg

Mike Bloomberg's campaign website says, "Mike believes we need a president who will make gun violence a top priority – and who has a track record of taking on the NRA and winning. He’s done it. Mike’s candidacy is about getting things done. That’s why he has offered a new gun safety policy proposal aimed at stopping the epidemic of gun violence in America. This comprehensive gun safety policy includes five key pillars designed to create an effective background checks system, keep guns away from people who pose a danger to themselves or others, protect young people in schools and Americans in their homes, tackle daily gun violence in the hardest-hit communities, and confront the gun industry head-on."

Bloomberg's website includes the following gun safety policies: "Create an effective background check system so that no one can purchase a gun without passing a completed background check. Close loopholes, including one that prohibits married domestic abusers from possessing guns, but not unmarried ones. Protect our children and communities by banning assault weapons, protecting schools, and preventing unintentional shootings. Tackle daily gun violence in the hardest-hit communities." ^{[source, as of 2019-12-11]}

Cory Booker

Cory Booker's campaign website lists gun-related priorities, including "Keep guns out of the wrong hands with gun licensing. Pass universal background checks, ban assault weapons, and close the loopholes that allow people who should never have a gun to get one. End legal immunity that prevents victims of gun violence from seeking justice. Ban assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and bump stocks. Limit gun buyers to one handgun per month. Ramp up funding for community-based violence intervention programs and gun violence research." ^{[source, as of 2019-08-27]}

Pete Buttigieg

Pete Buttigieg's campaign website says, "Pete knows that America can protect gun rights and balance the Second Amendment with sensible gun laws. He understands that solving the gun violence epidemic requires a comprehensive approach, and that begins with universal background checks as the foundation for reducing gun violence. Pete also understands that solutions to gun violence are not an “either-or” proposition, and universal background checks must be accompanied by a package of other reforms to reduce gun deaths nationwide — deaths caused by suicide, daily urban violence, school shootings, domestic violence, and accidents. Two-thirds of all gun deaths are suicides, and Pete wants to disrupt easy access to firearms through measures including Extreme Risk Protection Orders, also known as red flag laws, and waiting periods. An overwhelming majority of Americans support these measures, and Pete is ready to work with Congress to avoid further gun tragedies."

His website lists the following critical policy areas: "Institute universal background checks. Ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Enact red flag laws (also known as extreme risk laws) that disarm at-risk individuals and allow friends and family to intervene when they observe warning signs. Close the “boyfriend loophole” to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. Close the “Charleston loophole” to allow the FBI additional time to complete every background check. Close the hate loophole to prohibit people convicted of hate crimes from acquiring or possessing firearms. Hold the gun industry accountable by repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) to end gun industry immunity. Establish a nationwide gun licensing system. Resume federal funding for gun violence research. Invest in evidence-based urban gun violence intervention programs proven to work." ^{[source, as of 2019-08-21]}

Julián Castro

Julián Castro's campaign website says, "Common sense gun safety laws save lives. We need universal background checks without NRA loopholes to keep out of the wrong hands. We need a renewed assault weapons ban and strict limits on high-capacity magazines to reduce gun fatalities. We should invest in a gun buyback program to decrease the number of guns on the streets. We need to institute Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws and invest in community-driven violence prevention programs. And yes, we need a federal licensing program to buy and own a gun that includes fingerprints, a law enforcement interview, and a gun safety course. These are smart, reasonable reforms that improve safety for everyone, including police officers." ^{[source, as of 2019-08-29]}

Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard's campaign website says, "The time for action is now. We cannot allow partisan politics to get in the way of taking meaningful action in areas where both parties agree and that have the support of most Americans across this country. Here are a few examples: Both Democrats and Republicans support legislation I have co-sponsored to ban bump stocks. Both Democrats and Republicans support legislation to uphold Second Amendment rights and strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Now is the time for us to come together and to take meaningful action towards responsible, common sense gun safety reform." ^{[source, as of 2019-09-26]}

Kamala D. Harris

Kamala Harris' campaign website says, "If Congress fails to send comprehensive gun safety legislation to Harris’ desk within her first 100 days as president – including universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, and the repeal of the NRA’s corporate gun manufacturer and dealer immunity bill – she will take executive action to keep our kids and communities safe."

Her website includes the following policy proposals: "Mandate near-universal background checks by requiring anyone who sells five or more guns per year to run a background check on all gun sales. Revoke the licenses of gun manufacturers and dealers that break the law and take the most egregious offenders to court—regardless of whether they’re protected by the Protection of Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). Reverse President Trump’s dangerous change to the definition of “fugitive from justice,” which has allowed thousands of fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants to buy guns. Close the “boyfriend loophole” to prevent dating partners convicted of domestic violence from purchasing guns. Ban AR-15-style assault weapons from being imported into the United States. In addition to enacting universal background checks, renewing the assault weapons ban, and repealing the PLCAA, Harris will fight to make gun trafficking a federal crime, ban high capacity magazines, and prohibit those convicted of a federal hate crime from buying guns." ^{[source, as of 2019-08-20]}

Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar's campaign published a plan on gun violence which says, "The gun homicide rate in the United States is 25 times higher than other developed countries and gun safety laws are long overdue. Senator Klobuchar has been standing up to the NRA and fighting for stronger gun safety measures since she was the Hennepin County Attorney, working with local law enforcement to push to ban military-style assault weapons. In the Senate, she has supported legislation to ban assault weapons and bump stocks and improve background checks. Coming from a hunting state, 74 percent of Minnesota gun owners support criminal background checks on all gun sales, including in private transactions and at gun shows."

The plan lists Klobuchar's policies, some of which include: "Instituting universal background checks by closing the gun show loophole. Banning bump stocks that can increase a semiautomatic rifle’s rate of fire to 700 rounds per minute. Banning high capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Quickly raising the age to buy military-style assault weapons from 18 to 21 and fighting to ban the sale of assault weapons. Closing the “Charleston loophole” by giving law enforcement additional time to complete background checks. Closing the “boyfriend loophole” by preventing people who have abused dating partners from buying or owning firearms. Establishing a waiting period for sales of handguns and assault rifles, which law enforcement can waive in the case of an emergency." and "Prohibiting the online publication of code for 3D printing firearms." ^{[source, as of 2019-08-06]}

Beto O'Rourke

Beto O'Rourke's campaign website says, "Beto will end the epidemic of gun violence in America by implementing universal background checks, which have been proven to reduce violence; closing loopholes, like the Boyfriend Loophole and Charleston Loophole, so domestic abusers can’t possess deadly weapons and the FBI has the time it needs to conduct background checks; keeping weapons of war on the battlefield, so they’re not trained against our communities; passing red flag laws, so people who have a tendency to harm themselves or others don’t have access to firearms; and addressing existing suffering, by increasing trauma support."

Some of the policies listed on O'Rourke's website include: "Reverse the Trump administration’s policy of allowing fugitives to purchase guns. End influence of NRA in stifling progress on gun violence prevention. Create a nationwide gun licensing system and registry. Require universal background checks at point of purchase. Ban Assault Weapons, Trigger Cranks, Silencers, Bump Stocks, and High-Capacity Magazines. Implement Extreme Risk Protection Orders, also known as Red Flag Laws. Close loopholes, like the Boyfriend Loophole, gun show loophole, online loophole, and the Charleston Loophole. Declare gun violence a public health emergency. Make gun trafficking a federal crime. Increasing trauma support. Repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act." ^{[source, as of 2019-08-28]}

Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders supports expanding background checks, banning the sale of certain firearms, and prohibiting high-capacity ammunition magazines.

Sanders' campaign website says, "We must: Take on the NRA and its corrupting effect on Washington. The NRA has become a partisan lobbying public-relations entity for gun manufacturers, and its influence must be stopped. Expand background checks. End the gun show loophole. All gun purchases should be subject to the same background check standards. Ban the sale and distribution of assault weapons. Assault weapons are designed and sold as tools of war. There is absolutely no reason why these firearms should be sold to civilians. Prohibit high-capacity ammunition magazines. Crack down on 'straw purchases' where people buy guns for criminals." ^{[source, as of 2019-08-23]}

Thomas Steyer

Tom Steyer's campaign website says, "Tom Steyer supports universal background checks, red flag laws, banning assault weapons, and restricting high-capacity magazines. He supports prohibitions on 3D firearm printing, and banning gun possession for those who have been convicted of domestic violence. Tom thinks that gun manufacturers should not be immune from civil liability, and would support funding to study gun violence as a public health issue. He also supports federal databases to track gun sales, and opposes concealed carry reciprocity." ^{[source, as of 2019-09-10]}

Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren wrote in a plan published online, "As president, I will immediately 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 will break the NRA’s stranglehold on Congress by passing sweeping anti-corruption legislation and eliminating the filibuster so that our nation can no longer be held hostage by 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. I will send Congress comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation. I will sign it into law within my first 100 days. And we will revisit this comprehensive legislation every single year — adding new ideas and tweaking existing ones based on new data — to continually reduce the number of gun deaths in America." ^{[source, as of 2019-08-10]}

Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang's website says, "Most Americans agree on common-sense safety requirements and restrictions on firearms. As President, I will support sensible regulation of guns that allows their continued enjoyment by responsible gun owners in a framework that promotes the overall public safety."

Yang's website lists the following proposals: "Close the gun show and Charleston loopholes, requiring all gun sales and most transfers to have a background check run and completed. Implement a purchase limit (rate, not total) on all firearms. Implement a federal cooling-off period to decrease the incidence of suicide and impulsive crime. Promote a stringent licensing system, with a 5-year renewal requirement, for gun ownership. Create a clear definition of “assault weapon”, and prevent their manufacture and sale. Renew a ban on Large Capacity Ammo Feeding Devices (LCAFDs) and after-market non-standard large capacity magazines. Pass a federal gun transportation law that will require people to transport guns unloaded and locked in a storage safe. Increase liability for individuals who sell guns illegally that are used to commit a crime. Form a commission to study the development of 3D printing technology to see ways we can minimize the risk of this technology in perpetuating gun violence. Maintain current restrictions on and definitions of automatic weaponry. Create federal safety guidelines for gun manufacture and distribution, similar to federal car safety requirements, with strict penalties for the violation of these guidelines. Invest in personalized gun technology that makes it difficult or impossible for someone other than a gun’s owner to fire it, and ensure that they’re for sale on the marketplace. Implement a federal buyback program for anyone who wants to voluntarily give up their firearm." ^{[source, as of 2019-08-29]}

Green candidates

Howie Hawkins

Howie Hawkins' campaign website lists some of the following gun regulation policies: "Ban and buy back military assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and bump stocks. Universal background checks for gun and ammunition buyers, including closing the loophole for private sales and sales at gun shows, with sales and background check records maintained indefinitely in a central registry. Require all gun owners to pass a gun safety test, a visual test, and be licensed by a government agency, similar to the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license. Institute a 28-day waiting period after license application before firearms can be possessed. Expand the prohibition on the purchase and possession of guns by people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes to include people convicted of menacing, assault, or unlawful imprisonment." ^{[source, as of 2020-08-11]}

Libertarian candidates

Jo Jorgensen

Jo Jorgensen's campaign website says she opposes additional restrictions on the process of purchasing a gun. She also opposes allowing victims of gun violence to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers. ^{[source, as of 2020-07-28]}

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2020 presidential candidates on gun regulation

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Footnotes