Should the U.S. Ban Assault Weapons?

Editors’ Note: On Apr. 26, 2021, Burgum issued a proclamation making North Dakota a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State.” He also signed HB 1383, which prevents state and local police agencies from enforcing federal gun control laws if the federal laws are more restrictive than state laws. North Dakota does not have a state assault weapons ban.

“Well listen, in 1995, Sean [Hannity], I was 32 years old and I’ve changed my mind. And the biggest reason that I changed my mind was my seven years as a federal prosecutor. What I learned in those seven years was that we were spending much too much time talking about gun laws against law-abiding citizens and not nearly enough time talking about enforcing the gun laws strongly against criminals. I learned the difference, and I learned what the limitations are of these laws that people are talking about and how they much, much more greatly infringe on law-abiding citizens than they do anything to prevent crime. Having learned that, my position’s changed.”

Editors’ Note: Above Christie is responding to a question from Sean Hannity about his support of assault weapons bans in 1995. In 1993, Christie stated that keeping the assault weapons ban is the “issue which has energized me to get into this [New Jersey governor’s] race.” He called opponents of the bans, “dangerous,” “crazy” and “radical” in 1995.

Andrew Cuomo: “Everyone has a gun? Everyone has an assault weapon? A former felon? No background check? Concealed carry?”

Vivek Ramaswamy: “Has the right to. And I do think concealed carry is important, constitutional carry is important.”

“I certainly stand by my opposition to Gun Control when it comes to taking guns from law-abiding citizens. You mention that the media describes the AR-15 as an ‘assault rifle,’ which is one example of the many distortions they use to sell their agenda. However, the AR-15 does not fall under this category. Gun-banners are unfortunately preoccupied with the AR-15, magazine capacity, grips, and other aesthetics, precisely because of its popularity.

To the Left every gun is an assault weapon.

Gun control does not reduce crime. It has consistently failed to stop violence. Americans are entitled to protect their families, their property and themselves.”

Editors’ Note: In his 2005 book, The America We Deserve, Trump expressed support for assault weapons bans: “I generally oppose gun control but I support the ban on assault weapons and I support a slightly longer waiting period to purchase a gun.”