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Howard Deans Book is for sale, not the assault rifle pictured!LOL!
Here’s research from www.issues2000.org.

Howard Dean on Gun Control

Former VT Governor; Former Democratic Candidate for President

Different states need different gun laws
Q: Don’t you think your stance that gun control laws should vary state by state ignores the fact that guns can easily travel across state lines and be used in crimes in states different from where they were purchased?
A: I come from a rural state with a very low homicide state and no gun control other than the federal laws. I support those federal laws vigorously. Hunters don’t need AK-47s to shoot deer and most hunters I know don’t believe that it should be easier for criminals to get their hands on guns, but I know that states like California and New Jersey want more gun control than that. I believe that they should be allowed to pass what gun controls they think they need, but that it is unreasonable to apply laws that may be necessary in California to rural states like Montana or Vermont. The cross border issue has been resolved in one case: Virginia now limits the availability of gun purchases because so many Virginia guns were turning up in New York City illegally.

Source: Concord Monitor / WashingtonPost.com on-line Q&A Nov 6, 2003

Background checks for gun shows
Q: What’s your position on guns?
A: I support the assault weapons ban. I do not support the elimination of liability for gun owners. I support background checks. And I support background checks for people who buy guns at gun shows. I come from a rural state where people hunt. We have the lowest homicide rate in America. So my attitude is, let’s have those federal laws and enforce them. And then let every state make additional gun control as they see fit.

Source: CNN “Rock The Vote” Democratic Debate Nov 5, 2003

Endorsed by NRA eight times as VT governor
John Kerry criticized Dean’s 1992 statement to the National Rifle Association that he opposed any restriction on private ownership of assault weapons. “Howard Dean’s opposition to sensible gun safety measures is indefensible,” Kerry said. “It explains why he has been endorsed by the NRA eight times. I believe we must put the safety of our children and families ahead of special interests like the NRA.”
Dean responded, “I come from a rural state with a very low homicide rate. We had five homicides one year. It’s a state where hunting is a part of our life. I understand that’s not the traditional Democratic position.” Dean said “when you’re running for governor, they ask you what you would do in your state.” Dean aides said the opposition to restrictions on assault weapons that Dean expressed on the signed 1992 NRA questionnaire applied only to a state ban, defined broadly enough to also apply to shotguns commonly used by hunters in Vermont.

Source: Associated Press in Minneapolis Star-Tribune Oct 31, 2003

Leading Dems distance themselves from divisive gun debate
Democratic presidential candidates are distancing themselves from tough gun control, reversing a decade of rhetoric and advocacy by the Democratic Party in favor of federal regulation of firearms.
Howard Dean proudly tells audiences that the NRA endorsed him as governor of Vermont, and that he would leave most gun laws to the states. Dick Gephardt, a longtime gun control advocate, is careful to highlight his support for law-abiding gun owners. John Edwards says, “Guns are about independence. They don’t want people messing with that.”

As a result, Democratic strategists predict the debate over gun laws in this campaign will be less divisive. Democrats might fight for narrow proposals to make guns safer and more difficult for children and criminals to obtain, they said, yet voters are likely to hear as much about enforcing existing gun laws as creating new ones-a position Republicans and the NRA have pushed for years.

Source: [X-ref Edwards] Jim VandeHei, Washington Post, p. A1 Oct 26, 2003

Supports assault weapons ban and Brady bill
In response to a question on where he stands on gun control, he said he supports the assault weapons ban and Brady bill, but that gun control means different things in different regions and should be left up to the states.
When you say ‘gun control’ in New York, they think it’s taking away Uzis on the street, he said. “When you say ‘gun control’ in Wyoming, it means they’re going to take away the squirrel rifle that your grandfather gave you.”

Source: Lincoln Anderson, The Villager Apr 10, 2003

Get guns off the national radar screen: no new federal laws
If I thought gun control would save lives in Vermont, I would support it. If you say “gun control” in Vermont or Tennessee, people think you want to take away their hunting rifle. If you say “gun control” New York or L.A., people are happy to see Uzi’s or illegal handguns taken off the streets. I think Vermont ought to be able to have a different set of laws than California. Let’s keep and enforce the federal gun laws we have, close the gun show loophole using Insta-check, and then let the states decide for themselves what if any gun control laws they want. We need to get guns off the national radar screen if Democrats are ever going to win again in the South and the West. Just as we resist attempts by President Bush to dictate to the states how we run our school systems and what kind of welfare programs to have, we need to resist attempts to tell states how to deal with guns beyond existing Federal law.
Source: Campaign web site, DeanForAmerica.com, “On the Issues” Nov 30, 2002

No more federal gun laws; leave them to states
Dean brags that he has an A rating from the National Rifle Association. Dean favors the existing federal gun-control laws but believes that any further gun control is best left to individual states

Joe Biden on Gun Control
Democratic Sr Senator (DE); Vice President-Elect
Click here for 8 full quotes by Joe Biden OR click here for Joe Biden on other issues.
Keep assault weapons ban; close gun show loophole. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted NO on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)
Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record. (Dec 2003)

Hillary Clinton on Gun Control
Democratic Jr Senator (NY); Secretary of State-Designee
Click here for 21 full quotes by Hillary Clinton OR click here for Hillary Clinton on other issues.
Balance lawful gun ownership & keeping guns from criminals. (Apr 2008)
Give local police access to federal gun tracking info. (Apr 2008)
Let states & cities determine local gun laws. (Apr 2008)
Against illegal guns, crack down on illegal gun dealers. (Jan 2008)
Backed off a national licensing registration plan on guns. (Jan 2008)
Get assault weapons & guns off the street. (Jul 2007)
Background check system could prevent Virginia Tech massacre. (Apr 2007)
FactCheck: VA Tech shooter not declared a danger to others. (Apr 2007)
Congress’ failure at Littleton response inspired Senate run. (Nov 2003)
Keep guns away from people who shouldn’t have them. (Sep 2000)
Limit access to weapons; look for early warning signs. (Sep 2000)
License and register all handgun sales. (Jun 2000)
Tough gun control keeps guns out of wrong hands. (Jul 1999)
Gun control protects our children. (Jul 1999)
Don’t water down sensible gun control legislation. (Jul 1999)
Lock up guns; store ammo separately. (Jun 1999)
Ban kids’ unsupervised access to guns. (Jun 1999)
Get weapons off the streets; zero tolerance for weapons. (Sep 1996)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
Prevent unauthorized firearm use with “smart gun” technology. (Aug 2000)

Tom Daschle on Gun Control
Former Democratic Senator (SD); Secretary of H.H.S.-Designee
Click here for 5 full quotes by Tom Daschle OR click here for Tom Daschle on other issues.
Voted YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted NO on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)

Rahm Emanuel on Gun Control
Democratic Rep. (IL-5); Chief of Staff-Designee
Click here for 4 full quotes by Rahm Emanuel OR click here for Rahm Emanuel on other issues.
Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
Prevent unauthorized firearm use with “smart gun” technology. (Aug 2000)
Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record. (Dec 2003)

Robert Gates on Gun Control
Secretary of Defense-Designee
Click here for Robert Gates on other issues.
No stance on record.

Timothy Geithner on Gun Control
Secretary of Treasury-Designee
Click here for Timothy Geithner on other issues.
No stance on record.

Eric Holder on Gun Control
Attorney General-Designee
Click here for the full quote by Eric Holder OR click here for Eric Holder on other issues.
Confront our own conspiracy of silence on guns & drugs. (Nov 2008)

John McCain on Gun Control
Republican nominee for President; Senior Senator (AZ)
Click here for 20 full quotes by John McCain OR click here for John McCain on other issues.
I know how to use guns; but I don’t own one. (Nov 2007)
Prosecute criminals, not citizens for gun ownership. (Sep 2007)
Don’t hold gun manufacturers liable for crimes. (Sep 2007)
Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and ammunition types. (Sep 2007)
Calls for GOP “tolerance” of closing gun show loopholes. (May 2002)
Ban cheap guns; require safety locks; for gun show checks. (Aug 1999)
Supports ban on certain assault weapons. (Aug 1999)
Voted against Brady Bill & assault weapon ban. (Aug 1999)
Guns are a problem, but so are violent web sites & videos. (Aug 1999)
Punish criminals who abuse 2nd Amendment rights. (May 1999)
Youth Violence Prevention Act restricts guns for kids. (May 1999)
Repeal existing gun restrictions; penalize criminal use. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)
Ban gun registration & trigger lock law in Washington DC. (Mar 2007)
Allow firearms in National Parks. (Feb 2008)

Janet Napolitano on Gun Control
Democratic AZ Governor; Designee for Secretary of Homeland Security
Click here for the full quote by Janet Napolitano OR click here for Janet Napolitano on other issues.
No new gun laws; bearing arms is a fundamental liberty. (Sep 2002)

Barack Obama on Gun Control
Junior Senator (IL); President-Elect
Click here for 11 full quotes by Barack Obama OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.
Ok for states & cities to determine local gun laws. (Apr 2008)
FactCheck: Yes, Obama endorsed Illinois handgun ban. (Apr 2008)
Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok. (Feb 2008)
Provide some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing. (Jan 2008)
2000: cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month. (Oct 2007)
Concealed carry OK for retired police officers. (Aug 2007)
Stop unscrupulous gun dealers dumping guns in cities. (Jul 2007)
Keep guns out of inner cities–but also problem of morality. (Oct 2006)
Bush erred in failing to renew assault weapons ban. (Oct 2004)
Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)

Sarah Palin on Gun Control
Republican Governor (AK); ; nominee for Vice President
Click here for 5 full quotes by Sarah Palin OR click here for Sarah Palin on other issues.
Hunts and fishes, as did her father. (Aug 2008)
Hunts as much as she can; freezer-full of wild game. (Aug 2008)
Supports ending D.C.’s 32-year-old ban on handguns. (Jun 2008)
Lifelong NRA member & champion of right to bear arms. (Feb 2008)
Supports Constitutional right to bear arms. (Nov 2006)

Bill Richardson on Gun Control
Democratic Governor (NM); Secretary of Commerce-Designee
Click here for 8 full quotes by Bill Richardson OR click here for Bill Richardson on other issues.
1993: Opposed Brady Bill in Congress. (Nov 2007)
No guns for mentally ill or those with criminal background. (Jul 2007)
Attack poverty at the core of gun violence. (Jul 2007)
Assault weapons ban did not work; despite his vote for ban. (May 2007)
Endorsed by NRA for governor; would accept endorsement again. (May 2007)
The 2nd Amendment is precious. (Apr 2007)
Endorsed by NRA; has his own concealed carry permit. (Oct 2006)
We should ally with pro-gun recreationists in West. (Apr 2005)

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