Ban sale and/or manufacture of semi-automatic assault weapons

SUPPORT

Signed law banning certain assault weapons while Governor of MA (2004) Let's get the record straight. First of all, there's no question that I support 2nd Amendment rights, but I also support an assault weapon ban. Look, I've been governor in a pretty tough state. You've heard of blue states. In the toughest of blue states, I made the toughest decisions and did what was right for America. I have conservative values.

2007 Republican Debate in South Carolina May 15, 2007

Background checks

SUPPORT

We should check on the backgrounds of people who are trying to purchase guns. We also should keep weapons of unusual lethality from being on the street. And finally, we should go after people who use guns in the commission of crimes or illegally, but we should not interfere with the right of law-abiding citizens to own guns, for their own personal protection or hunting or any other lawful purpose. I support the work of the NRA. I'm a member of the NRA. But do we line up on every issue? No, we don't.

Meet the Press: 2007 "Meet the Candidates" series Dec 16, 2007