State of Alabama Archives: on Gun Control

Doug Jones: Ban bump stocks; waiting period for semi-automatic weapons

Q: Opinion of gun control?

Doug Jones: "An avid hunter." But wants ban on bump stocks, waiting period to buy a semi-automatic weapon, and laws to boost school safety and strengthen background checks.

Tommy Tuberville: Opposes "any form of gun control. They are not taking my guns. They want to take your guns away so they can control you."

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Alabama Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Tommy Tuberville: They are not taking my guns

Q: Opinion of gun control?

Tommy Tuberville: Opposes "any form of gun control. They are not taking my guns. They want to take your guns away so they can control you."

Doug Jones: "An avid hunter." But wants ban on bump stocks, waiting period to buy a semi-automatic weapon, and laws to boost school safety and strengthen background checks.

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Alabama Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Tommy Tuberville: Government wants to take guns to steal all your money

On gun control, he said, "You know how I stand on Second Amendment. They ain't taking my guns." He said government wants to take guns "when the government steals all your money here in six or seven years. Then we go to try to fight them back, and we got rocks. Ask Venezuela." Source: Jasper Daily Mountain Eagle on 2020 Alabama Sente race Feb 9, 2020

Tommy Tuberville: Will always protect, preserve our Second Amendment rights

While we are fighting out-of-touch liberals to protect life and liberty, we must also stand up for the time-honored traditions we hold dear in Alabama. Being a sportsman has always been a part of my life. That is why I will always vote to protect and preserve our Second Amendment rights. Source: 2020 Alabama Senate campaign website, TommyForSenate.com Jan 12, 2020

Arnold Mooney: Right to bear arms

Mooney's website highlighted the following campaign themes:

Improving Education and Repealing Common Core
States' Rights and Limited Government
Free Market Health Care
Pro-Life and Pro-Family
Right to Bear Arms
Increased Employment and Commerce
Protecting Personal Property Rights
Transportation

Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 Alabama Senate race Sep 9, 2019

Doug Jones: More background checks; raise purchase age to 21

Q: You said on the floor of the Senate:

(VIDEO CLIP) JONES: You can't simply demonize the NRA and pro-gun groups. While I know that these groups sometimes take what many, including me, consider extreme positions, they also represent millions of law- abiding gun owners who are concerned that their right to bear arms are at risk.

(END VIDEO) Q: What's your message to everyone we saw march last week who say that the NRA has had a stranglehold on Congress?

JONES: There is some truth to that. And those millions of kids around the country also represent a point of view that we have to do something to stem the tide of gun deaths in this country.

Q: So, what does that mean right now?

JONES: Well, we took a step, that the CDC can start doing some investigation and studies about gun violence. I think we can find that common ground. We can do more on background checks. I'd like to see the age limit of 21 for all semi-automatic weapons. We can have those kind of dialogues.

Source: ABC This Week 2018 interviews for 2017 Alabama Senate race Apr 1, 2018

Doug Jones: No assault weapons ban at this time

Q: Your colleague, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), has now says we have to try again on the assault weapons ban. Can you go that far?

JONES: I'm not sure I can go that far just yet. We've got to get done what I think can be done right now. Let's reach across and within our own party to do those things that we can do, and that to me is where I want to focus. I really don't believe that a gun ban is feasible right. And I think that there are things that can be done, that we need to look at.

Source: ABC This Week 2018 interviews for 2017 Alabama Senate race Apr 1, 2018

Walt Maddox: Refuses to comply with the NRA even if it costs him support

Maddox, released a letter he's written to the NRA, in response to the organization's questionnaire, saying he won't commit to any specific legislation in advance, even if it costs him support. Maddox wrote, "this process somehow implies that if I make a commitment on legislation that I would get your support. That strikes me as being the kind of quid pro quo agreement that has landed too many state leaders either in jail or out of office in recent years." Source: WHNT News 19 on 2018 Alabama Gubernatorial race Mar 9, 2018

Tommy Battle: Prefers more school security measures over armed teachers

Two of the leading Republican candidates in the race for governor say they support enhancing school security measures over Republican State Rep. Will Ainsworth's proposal to arm teachers against school shootings. In an interview with The Plainsman, Battle said the proposal could pose more risks than it solves. "Teachers with guns, I'd rather have policemen who are trained," Battle said. "You put the teachers at liability. Battle said schools should focus on "tried and true" safety measures. Source: The Auburn Plainsman on 2018 Alabama Senate race Mar 6, 2018

Kay Ivey: Firearms industry jobs part of rich history of 2nd Amendment

I am proud to announce this evening that Kimber Firearms will build a $38 million dollar production facility in Troy, bringing with it 366 new jobs! These are good, high-paying jobs, and will enable more of our citizens to provide for their families while taking part in the rich history of the Second Amendment.

This announcement and countless others like it make one thing clear: what we are doing is working, and as a result, the people of Alabama are working and providing for their families.

Source: 2018 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature Jan 9, 2018

Doug Jones: Enforce current laws; no new restrictions

Gun Control: Support more restrictive gun control legislation?

Jones: No. Prioritize enforcement of current laws and improvements to background check system to prevent criminals and terrorists from getting guns while avoiding errors that keep law-abiding citizens from getting them.

Moore: No. Opposes expanding registration checks, calling them equivalent to national gun registration. Opposes bans on "assault weapons" and high-capacity magazines.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2017 Alabama Senate race Nov 1, 2017

Roy Moore: Don't expand to equivalent of national gun registration

Gun Control: Support more restrictive gun control legislation?

Moore: No. Opposes expanding registration checks, calling them equivalent to national gun registration. Opposes bans on "assault weapons" and high-capacity magazines.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2017 Alabama Senate race Nov 1, 2017

Chris Countryman: Favors background checks and state database

In favor of laws requiring mental health background checks for citizens prior to the purchase of a firearm. In favor or mandatory ammunition purchase restrictions for large amounts of ammunition for certain types of firearms. In favor of a statewide database that tracks and records the firearm and ammunition purchases of individuals. Source: 2018 Alabama Gubernatorial website RethinkAlabama1 Sep 1, 2017

Luther Strange: Defends God-given 2nd Amendment rights

Strange has a long history as a fierce defender of Alabamians' God-given 2nd Amendment rights. As Alabama's Attorney General, Luther pushed back on municipalities that tried to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens to conceal or open carry and stood up to federal courts when they ruled to restrict 2nd Amendment rights. He has co-sponsored the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. Source: 2017-2018 Alabama Senate campaign website LutherStrange.com Aug 31, 2017

Stacy Lee George: Unequivocally support the Second Amendment

The Second Amendment is one of the most important rights Americans have to protect our freedom, liberty, and to ensure the safety of our family and homes. As a sidearm owner and Correctional Officer, I unequivocally support the Second Amendment. Source: 2018 Alabama Governor website StacyLeeGeorge.com Aug 17, 2017

Roy Moore: Moore and his wife are armed

It's no surprise that a GOP Senate candidate in Alabama supports the right to bear arms. But it is surprising when the candidate pulls out his wife's pistol to prove it. "We carry," Moore said at the Chambers County Republican Club's candidate meeting slipping his wife Kayla's handgun out of her purse. "I will uphold the Second Amendment," Moore later added. Source: RollCall.com coverage of 2017 Alabama Senate race Aug 4, 2017

Doug Jones: Supporter of 2nd amendment

As a deer, turkey and bird hunter, Jones said he's also a supporter of Second Amendment rights. "Doug is culturally very Southern," [one journalist] said. "He's a good ole Southern boy who likes his hunting and fishing and is living the Christian life." Source: Birmingham News on 2017 Alabama Senate race Jun 14, 2017

Marcus Bowman: Right to keep guns shall not be infringed

Q: Do you support or oppose the policy, "Absolute right to gun ownership"

A: Strongly support the right to keep and bear guns, and arms. And that right shall not be infringed.

Source: Email interview on 2016 Alabama Senate race with OnTheIssues Jan 21, 2016

Ron Crumpton: Absolute right to gun ownership, with exceptions

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Absolute right to gun ownership"?

A: Agree. That does not exclude background checks, and does not include criminals, suspected terrorists, or those suffering from mental illness.

Source: Email interview on 2016 Alabama Senate race with OnTheIssues Nov 26, 2015

Chris Countryman: Favors greater ability to track gun purchases

According to Countryman's website, he supports increased funding for math and science in K-12 as well as incentivizing teachers and administrators whose students and schools perform well. He said he supports second amendment rights, but also favors greater ability to track gun purchases. Source: Dothan Eagle on 2018 Alabama gubernatorial race Sep 21, 2015

Ron Crumpton: Strict interpretation of the Second Amendment

Many factors determine where you stand on an issue. My first question with any issue is what does the constitution have say. In the case of guns, the second amendment is clear, `the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.`

A strict interpretation of this amendment would prevent the government from lawfully passing any legislation or issuing any executive order limiting the rights of gun owners. I support this interpretation of our constitution and I will always vote to support private gun ownership.

Furthermore, it does not make sense for us to violate these rights of gun owners when it will only create an illegal market for existing guns and accessories. A legal market for firearms is far superior to an illegal one. The right to self-protection is supreme. Taking guns from law-abiding citizens benefits criminals and jeopardizes that right.

Source: 2016 Alabama Senate campaign website, CrumptonForAlabama.com Aug 7, 2015

Kay Ivey: Do everything we can to preserve right to bear arms

In light of recent attempts from the federal government to chip away at our constitutional right to bear arms, Alabama Republicans are doing everything we can at the state level to preserve these rights.

As a lifetime NRA member, Lt. Governor Ivey understands that many Alabamians cherish their right to own and use a firearm. Recent 5-to-4 opinions of the Supreme Court have threatened the sanctity of the 2nd Amendment, but have ultimately upheld the right of American citizens to keep and bear arms. [In case the Court changes], our state constitution should, as strongly as possible, protect the right of every Alabamian to keep and bear arms. With this amendment, Alabama's 1901 Constitution will contain the strongest gun protection provisions in the country. If ratified, this amendment would require future courts to use strict judicial scrutiny in evaluating state laws that infringe on the right to keep and bear arms.

Source: 2014 Alabama Lt. Governor campaign website KayIvey.org Oct 30, 2014

Gary Palmer: Right to protect self and family

The right to keep and bear arms is enshrined in the Constitution for a reason. Every American has a fundamental right to protect themselves and their family. Source: 2014 AL-6 House campaign website, PalmerForAlabama.com Sep 30, 2014

Robert Bentley: Freedoms are guaranteed in the Second Amendment

When I took the Oath of Office, I swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Alabama. I am, and have always been, a strong supporter of the Constitution on which our nation and our states were founded. I believe we are endowed with certain Freedoms by our Creator, and that the Constitution serves to Protect those Freedoms. Freedoms such as those guaranteed in the Second Amendment, which protects the right of the people to keep and bear Arms. The 10th Amendment, which guarantees those powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States, or to the people. It is the people who give power to the States. And let us be reminded that as our country was being established, the States created the Federal Government, not the other way around." Source: 2014 Alabama Gubernatorial website, BentleyForGovernor.com Sep 1, 2014

Gary Palmer: Repeal unconstitutional gun restrictions

Q: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?

A: I do not support any additional federal restrictions, and I support the repeal of unconstitutional restrictions imposed by some states and municipalities.

Source: VoteSmart 2014 Alabama Congressional Political Courage Test Aug 30, 2014

Bill Hightower: Assume gun restrictions are unconstitutional, even treaties

Legislative Introduction to HB8: The Constitution of Alabama of 1901, provides that every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself or herself and the state. This proposed amendment would provide that every citizen has a fundamental right to bear arms and that any restriction on this right would be subject to strict scrutiny. This proposed amendment would also provide that a citizen cannot be compelled by international treaty or law from taking actions that limit or interfere with the fundamental right to bear arms.