State of Arizona Archives: on Gun Control


Martha McSally: Ban bump stocks; against closing gun show loophole

Q: Enact more restrictive legislation on firearms?

Martha McSally: Mixed. Opposed closing loophole at gun show sales but has also supported banning bump stocks and denying guns to the mentally ill.

Mark Kelly: Yes. Gun owner co-launched "Giffords," urging universal background checks to limit mass shootings and "keep guns out of the hands of stalkers and domestic abusers."

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

Mark Kelly: The issue of gun violence is personal for Gabby and me

McSally sought to cast Kelly as operating an organization that supported liberal Democrats such as [Ilhan] Omar, which generated blowback from Kelly. "The organization that Sen. McSally is referring to is named after my wife, Gabby, [former Rep.] Gabby Giffords, it's named "Giffords." Gabby was injured, shot in the head, in 2011. The issue of gun violence is personal for Gabby and me," Kelly said.
Source: Arizona Republic on 2020 Arizona Senate debate Oct 6, 2020

Martha McSally: I'm your Second Amendment senator

McSally, a consistent supporter of gun rights, hasn't made her record on Second Amendment issues a major theme of her campaign. "I'm your Second Amendment senator," she said. McSally said Kelly supports an agenda that will lead to restrictions on gun rights and that the Supreme Court vacancy is a critical check against stripping away gun rights. "Our freedoms are at stake," she said.
Source: Arizona Republic on 2020 Arizona Senate debate Oct 6, 2020

Mark Kelly: Endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety for gun-sense majority

Everytown for Gun Safety threw its support behind 11 Democratic Senate candidates including Mark Kelly in Arizona.

"Everytown is going all-in to flip the Senate and elect leaders who will treat America's gun violence epidemic like the crisis it is," the Everytown President said. The group has targeted a number of key races in the House and Senate, emphasizing the need to protect what it calls a "gun sense majority," which is mostly comprised of Democratic candidates.ÿ

Source: The Hill e-zine on 2020 Arizona Senate endorsements Jun 9, 2020

Mark Kelly: Owns guns but favors commonsense legislation

He believes in gun ownership and is well armed himself. "I'm a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment, and I'm a gun owner," he said. "I own more firearms than most Arizonans. I'm pretty sure about that." However, he said many in the state agree with him that the right to bear arms should be regulated more than it is. "I also think we need commonsense legislation that most Arizonans support to keep communities and families safer from gun violence," he said.
Source: KTAR News 92.3-FM on 2020 Arizona Senate race Feb 21, 2020

Mark Kelly: Gun rights & safety from gun violence not incompatible

Mark is a gun owner and a combat veteran, the husband of Gabby Giffords who was nearly killed in a shooting, and an advocate for commonsense, effective gun laws. Mark understands that a commitment to our rights and traditions is in no way incompatible with working to keep us safe from gun violence.

Mark will stand up to the gun lobby and fight to protect Arizona kids and communities from gun violence. He will keep kids and communities safer by working to pass universal background checks, to keep guns out of the hands of stalkers and domestic abusers, and reduce mass shootings and suicides by allowing families and law enforcement to ensure dangerous individuals and people in crisis don't have access to firearms.

Source: 2020 Arizona Senate campaign website MarkKelly.com Jan 15, 2020

Doug Ducey: Safe Arizona Schools Plan: more cops; more background checks

Last spring, we researched the five deadliest school shootings of the last 20 years, and asked: How could these have been prevented? We built a plan that could make a real difference: The Safe Arizona Schools Plan. More cops on campus. More school counselors. Improved background checks. A STOP order that protects Second Amendment rights while keeping guns out of the hands of individuals who are a lethal threat.

We know when a police officer is around, it makes things safer. Who do we call whenever there's trouble? Our brave men and women in blue. And that's why we're including enough dollars to put a cop on every campus that needs one.

This plan is a reasoned and balanced approach. We modeled elements of it from Gabby Giffords' plan. This is simply too important an issue to let partisan politics and special interests get in the way. We've got a responsibility to do something for our kids--and we've got to do it this session.

Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arizona legislature Jan 14, 2019

Mark Kelly: A gun is designed for one thing--to kill

If you're an elected official speaking out on a topic, it boosts your credibility when you can do so intelligently. Sometimes, you can tell when lawmakers aren't as familiar with firearms. But a gun is a pretty simple thing. It's not a fighter jet. It's not a spaceship. It's a basic instrument designed for one thing--to kill. I don't think we need 80-year-old legislators to go out to the shooting range in order to participate in this debate. They understand the consequences already.
Source: Gentleman's Quarterly on 2020 Arizona Senate race Nov 2, 2018

David Garcia: Universal background checks; ban assault weapons

Q: Support more gun control legislation including restrictions on semi-automatic weapons?

Doug Ducey (R): Somewhat. Revoke firearm permits of those convicted of violent offenses. Has not sought to restrict assault weapons.

David Garcia (D): Yes. Supports universal background checks, preventing domestic abusers & other predators from gaining access & banning assault weapons.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Arizona Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Doug Ducey: Revoke firearm permits if convicted of violent offense

Q: Support more gun control legislation including restrictions on semi-automatic weapons?

Doug Ducey (R): Somewhat. Revoke firearm permits of those convicted of violent offenses. Has not sought to restrict assault weapons.

David Garcia (D): Yes. Supports universal background checks, preventing domestic abusers & other predators from gaining access & banning assault weapons.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Arizona Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Martha McSally: Enforce existing laws rather than enacting new ones

Q: Gun Control: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?

Martha McSally (R): Mostly no. Enforce existing laws & address mental illness issues, rather than enacting new gun laws. Supports banning bump stocks.

Kyrsten Sinema (D): Yes. Supports some gun rights but also stronger background checks.Voted to end law banning federally funded research on gun violence.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Arizona Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Deedra Abboud: Second Amendment rights have limits

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

A: Oppose. All Constitutional rights have limits. It is possible to support the Second Amendment and also expect gun owners to be responsible as well as enact restrictions on those who cannot operate weapons responsibly.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

Doug Marks: Absolute right to gun ownership

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

A: Yes, without question

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

Mark Kelly: Gun control is a political issue and we need to have a vote

"These kids [Parkland High School students] are incredibly articulate. And some members of Congress are good at not listening. To have high school kids calling for change, it should matter. And I hope in society this will make a difference," Kelly told "Fox News Sunday" minutes after five students from Florida's Stoneman Douglas High School said on the show that they are trying to organize nationwide demonstrations for March 24. "This is a political issue," he said. "We need to have a vote."
Source: Fox News Sunday 2019 interview on 2020 Arizona Senate race Feb 18, 2018

Deedra Abboud: Pro-2nd Amendment with education and restrictions

Deedra supports the Second Amendment with an emphasis on education and personal responsibility. All Constitutional Rights have limits. It is certainly proper to expect gun owners to know how to responsibly operate weapons. It is equally proper to enact restrictions which keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of people who cannot responsibly operate them.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

Mark Kelly: Congress has done absolutely nothing to stop gun violence

"All we're hearing is thoughts and prayers. Thoughts and prayers are important," said Kelly said but added that they fell short. "They are not enough. Your thoughts and prayers aren't going to stop the next shooting." The former astronaut charged that Congress has done "absolutely nothing" to stop further acts of gun violence and instead is working to craft legislation to "weaken our gun laws."
Source: CBS News on 2020 Arizona Senate race Oct 2, 2017

Kelli Ward: No right more fundamental than Second Amendment

There is no right more fundamental to the character and safety of our nation than the right to keep and bear arms. Our Founding Fathers understood that fact, which is why our constitution ensures that it shall not be infringed. Kelli will stand up to the constant infringements on our Constitutional rights. Her record supporting Second Amendment rights is undeniable -- that's why she was endorsed by the Gun Owners of America and National Association for Gun Rights in 2016.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senatorial website KelliWard.com Oct 1, 2017

Joe Arpaio: Vowed to ignore any law that would seize citizen's guns

In 2013, Arpaio joined nearly 500 other sheriffs who vowed not to obey any federal law that required them to confiscate guns from private citizens. As these unorthodox ideas have spread, politicians and lawmen have played boldly to anti-government sentiment, especially fears of federal officials intruding on property rights and gun rights.
Source: Politico Magazine on 2018 Arizona Senate race Sep 1, 2017

Deedra Abboud: Favors responsible, educated gun owners

Deedra supports the Second Amendment with an emphasis on education and personal responsibility. All Constitutional Rights have limits. It is certainly proper to expect gun owners to know how to responsibly operate weapons. It is equally proper to enact restrictions which keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of people who cannot responsibly operate them.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

Doug Ducey: Avoid shootings by mentally ill but respect 2nd Amendment

The Arizona Republic asked the candidates for governor what changes, if any, should be made to prevent future shooting sprees.

Doug Ducey, Republican: "My heart goes out to any person or family that has been affected by violent crime. The common thread in recent tragedies--Tucson, Aurora, Newtown and now Isla Vista--is that many warning signs were overlooked or ignored. As a nation, we must take a hard look at our mental health system and its failings, and ensure better cooperation between mental health agencies and law enforcement. I will work with Arizona mental health experts, the firearms community and law enforcement professionals to make sure that any programs brought forward will reduce violence and not infringe on the Constitution."

Source: The Arizona Republic on 2014 Arizona gubernatorial race Jun 2, 2014

Frank Riggs: Gun violence is not about video games or 2nd Amendment

The Arizona Republic asked the candidates for governor what changes, if any, should be made to prevent future shooting sprees.

Frank Riggs, Republican: "The answer is not to restrict freedom and the constitutionally protected right to own firearms, or for that matter, video games. The 'recent mass shootings,' including at UC Santa Barbara, where the first three victims were stabbed to death, have been perpetrated by deranged young men who were estranged from their families and alienated from society. There's no way to prevent crimes by insane individuals but every child should have the chance to be raised to adulthood by role-modeling parents in a nurturing and loving home, and government policies should encourage intact families and combat the breakdown of marriage."

Source: The Arizona Republic on 2014 Arizona gubernatorial race Jun 2, 2014

Fred DuVal: Require background checks for all gun purchases

The Arizona Republic asked the candidates for governor what changes, if any, should be made to prevent future shooting sprees.

Fred DuVal, Democrat: "As a recreational shooter, gun owner, and strong supporter of the second amendment, I know that we can keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill without infringing on the right of the people to keep and bear arms

"There's no guaranteed way to prevent mass shootings, but we can reduce gun violence and start healing the heartbreak from Sandy Hook, Aurora, Isla Vista, and Tucson by sharing mental health records between states and requiring background checks for all gun purchases."

Source: The Arizona Republic on 2014 Arizona gubernatorial race Jun 2, 2014

Ruben Gallego: More gun buyback programs, not more guns

The toll that gun violence has taken on my family and my community has been far too high. Americans can agree on fundamentals; support for background checks and clamping down on gun purchases from those who are mentally ill or on a terrorism watch-list.

I often hear from NRA members that the solution is more individuals with guns. In the Arizona State House, I stood up against proposals to allow guns in our parks and public buildings. I know as a US Marine who is trained in close quarters combat that having untrained individuals carrying guns can make the work of law enforcement officers more difficult.

I'll work across the aisle to help end gun violence. I'll continue my work on closing the "terror gap" to ensure that suspected terrorists can't buy guns. I will work to protect gun buyback programs, such as those in Phoenix, that remove unwanted and dangerous guns from the street. I will stand up to the NRA and be a voice for gun owners who want to see universal background checks.

Source: 2014 Arizona House campaign website, GallegoForArizona.com May 31, 2014

Ann Kirkpatrick: Strongly supports the Second Amendment

I strongly support the Second Amendment. As a member of the state legislature, I defied the leadership of my own party to stand up for the rights of Arizona’s families to keep and bear arms. I strongly supported legislation bringing back responsible gun education to our public schools and voted to reduce the penalty for law-abiding citizens carrying a concealed weapon without a state permit. In Congress, I will continue to fight to protect the integrity of this fundamental Constitutional right.
Source: 2008 House campaign website, kirkpatrickforarizona.com Nov 4, 2008

Kyrsten Sinema: Supports background checks, gun licenses, and enforcement