How you compare
John McCain shares a 83% similarity with your beliefs on Gun Control
I strongly oppose restrictions on access to firearms
On the DC handgun ban case: "[It's] a landmark case for all Americans who believe, as I do, that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms."
John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right. 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.
Campaign website, www.johnmccain.com, "Issues" Sep 1, 2007
McCain spoke generally of the need for some tighter gun controls on hardened criminals and children. In Congress, he pressured his colleagues to require background checks for buyers at guns shows, and he supported a requirement that trigger locks be sold with handguns. But the Senator opposed the two major gun-control measures of recent years, the 1994 ban on several types of assault weapons and the Brady Bill, which required a 5-day waiting period for handgun purchases.
Todd S. Purdum, New York Times, p. A14 Aug 17, 1999
Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. Vote to table or kill a motion to require that all gun sales at gun shows be completed by federally licensed gun dealers. Also requires background checks to be completed on buyers and requires gun show promoters to register with the Treasury.
Bill S.254 ; vote number 1999-111 on May 11, 1999
Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. Require background checks on all firearm sales at gun shows. Status: Amdt Agreed to Y)50; N)50; VP decided YES
Lautenberg Amdt #362; Bill S. 254 ; vote number 1999-134 on May 20, 1999
I strongly oppose a ban on assault weapons
McCain said he was open to voting for an assault weapon ban, depending on the details.
Los Angeles Times, “McCain Calls for Hearings” Aug 17, 1999
But the Senator opposed the two major gun-control measures of recent years, the 1994 ban on several types of assault weapons and the Brady Bill, which required a 5-day waiting period for handgun purchases.
Q: You have said you would be open to an assault weapons ban depending on the details. What might those details be? A: A lot of these weapons are weapons people use for sport, for practice, and for outdoor enjoyment. The danger of the "assault weapons ban" spilling into weapons that people use for everyday hunting I think is the challenge.
Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and ammunition types - McCain opposes restrictions on so-called "assault rifles" and voted consistently against such bans. - McCain opposes bans on the importation of certain types of ammunition magazines and has voted against such limitations. - McCain believes that banning ammunition is just another way to undermine Second Amendment rights. He voted against an amendment that would have banned many of the most commonly used hunting cartridges on the spurious grounds that they were "armor-piercing."
Campaign website, www.johnmccain.com, "Issues" Sep 1, 2007
McCain spoke generally of the need for some tighter gun controls on hardened criminals and children. In Congress, he pressured his colleagues to require background checks for buyers at guns shows, and he supported a requirement that trigger locks be sold with handguns. But the Senator opposed the two major gun-control measures of recent years, the 1994 ban on several types of assault weapons and the Brady Bill, which required a 5-day waiting period for handgun purchases.
Todd S. Purdum, New York Times, p. A14 Aug 17, 1999
I am neutral on running background checks on individuals purchasing guns.
"Convicted felons have been able to buy and sell thousands of guns at gun shows because of a loophole in the law. Many were later used in crimes. That's wrong. Here in Colorado, Amendment 22 will close this dangerous loophole by requiring criminal background checks by unlicensed dealers at gun shows. I believe law-abiding citizens have the right to own guns. But with rights come responsibilities. Close the loophole."
McCain spoke generally of the need for some tighter gun controls on hardened criminals and children. In Congress, he pressured his colleagues to require background checks for buyers at guns shows, and he supported a requirement that trigger locks be sold with handguns. But the Senator opposed the two major gun-control measures of recent years, the 1994 ban on several types of assault weapons and the Brady Bill, which required a 5-day waiting period for handgun purchases.
Todd S. Purdum, New York Times, p. A14 Aug 17, 1999
Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. Require background checks on all firearm sales at gun shows. Status: Amdt Agreed to Y)50; N)50; VP decided YES
Lautenberg Amdt #362; Bill S. 254 ; vote number 1999-134 on May 20, 1999
Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. Vote to table or kill a motion to require that all gun sales at gun shows be completed by federally licensed gun dealers. Also requires background checks to be completed on buyers and requires gun show promoters to register with the Treasury.
Bill S.254 ; vote number 1999-111 on May 11, 1999