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In the lead up to the election, gun violence has become a hot-button issue in the media as well as on the campaign trail, with voters, journalists and politicians divided along party lines.
The Republican party has taken the reigns of the pro-gun side of the argument, with powerful party figures like Ted Cruz calling supporters to arms. “Because each of you spoke out and because millions of Americans spoke out…every vote that would have undermined the right to keep and bear arms was voted down”, Cruz told supporters. Republicans have claimed the second amendment as a major plank of the American constitution and are willing to defend it, seemingly at any cost.
The Democratic side has generally argued the need for more regulation, such as gun sale restrictions, in light of school shootings such as Sandy Hook and terrorist attacks such as San Bernardino. However, there have been a small yet influential collection of Democratic politicians that have been vocally pro-gun to varying degrees, or that have inadvertently strengthened the gun lobby’s position.
1. Mark Udall
Senator Mark Udall is an interesting Democratic character when it comes to gun control. Udall has been lauded for his advocacy of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. He was quoted as saying, “If we can save one child in the future from being killed in such a way, I’m ready to push those kinds of policies.” However, that’s not to say he’s completely anti-gun. In 2009 Udall actually took quite a bit of criticism for being a significant advocate of the transportation of concealed weapons across different state lines. While Udall received an “F” rating by the National Rifle Association in the House of Representatives, during his Senate term he actually received a “C” rating. Maybe not the best example of a pro-gun Democrat—but notable nonetheless for his ability to cross party lines on the issue.
2. Max Baucus
Max Baucus is great example of a pro-gun lefty. Baucus was a key figure noted for his vote in favor of the Assault Weapons Ban back in 2013. However where he toes the line is not the most interesting aspect of his moderate Democrat life. Baucus is infamous for being a regular hunter in the Montana area. While he has been vocal about his distaste of the sale of assault weapons, he has also been against regulation of firearm sales at gun shows. Democratic moderates like Baucus are interesting beasts in the current political sphere. On one hand they are against assault weapons, on the other—uninterested in regulation of the major loophole they’re being sold through.
3. Joe Manchin
Joe Manchin skates the line on gun control laws and gives “silent majority” a whole other level of meaning. Voted into the West Virginia senate with 60% of the vote, Manchin has an interesting relationship with the National Rifle Association. Unlike Senator Mark Udall, Joe Manchin currently has an “A” rating from the NRA despite recently partnering with Republican Pat Toomey on a proposed bill to strengthen background checks on firearms. Manchin has been criticized in attack ads by the NRA and has since requested not to be questioned about gun control or the Second Amendment on camera. Silence is no doubt key for Manchin’s “A” ranking.
4. Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders has recently been in the media not just for his meteoric rise in the presidential race but also for his views on gun control. Recently Bernie was questioned about his opposition to the Brady Act, a bill that would mandate background checks of firearms. The Bern has also been for a slew of pro-gun bills, including a bill that would allow firearms in checked bags on Amtrak trains. He also voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) which protects the firearm industry from lawsuits against illegal use of their products. Over at Slate, Mark Joseph Stern recently wrote that, “None of these views are particularly shocking for a Vermont representative: Sanders’ deep-blue state has both high gun ownership and incredibly lax gun laws, and it’s perfectly logical for the senator to support his constituents’ firearms enthusiasm.” Time will tell whether the Bern will remain true to his Vermont stomping ground.
5. Obama
OK, we know what you’re thinking—Obama is definitely not pro-gun! Well, while President Obama is no doubt a huge proponent in the push towards more restrictions and more gun control nationally, his efforts have no doubt put a lush amount of money in the hands of the gun industry. Following the shooting in San Bernardino, California the president argued for new gun regulation. Almost immediately sales skyrocketed, reaching their highest point in nearly two decades according to a recent New York Times article. Thus, the President’s policy initiatives can certainly be looked upon as positive push for gun control—but at the end of the day, the resulting aftermath definitely shows him to be a key factor in the increase of gun sales in America.
