State of West Virginia secondary Archives: on Gun Control
Ben Salango:
Protect WV gun owners from federal overreach
Salango is a responsible gun owner who is pro-Second Amendment. He has had a concealed weapon permit for over a decade. Ben grew up hunting in the woods of southern West Virginia and understands the hunting tradition
that is engrained in our culture. He believes that law-abiding gun owners should be protected from federal overreach.
Source: 2020 West Virginia gubernatorial website BenSalango.com
Oct 9, 2020
Jay Wolfe:
Bearing arms is an individual right
Wolfe indicates support of the following principles regarding guns. - Allow individuals to carry concealed guns.
- Greatly decrease restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
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Wolfe adds, "I believe that the right to keep and bear arms is an individual right, just like the freedom of speech or religion."
Source: West Virginia Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Aug 8, 2008
Jeff Kessler:
Don't require permit and training for concealed carry
Kessler voted in favor of a bill that eliminated the requirement for a
permit and training before a person can carry a concealed weapon.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2016 West Virginia gubernatorial race
Jun 23, 2015
Jim Justice:
The Second Amendment is ingrained in me
I'm a sportsman. I love the outdoors.
The second amendment is ingrained in me forevermore. There is no question about it, whether you love me or don't love me. It's just simple fact.
Source: 2020 West Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
Joe Manchin III:
Background checks ok; not no ban on semi-automatic weapons
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?Joe Manchin (D): Opposes restrictions in most areas. Opposed banning semi-automatic weapons, but supports background
checks for gun show or internet sales.
Patrick Morrisey (R): No. Will keep hands of "gun grabbers" & "Washington liberals" off of American guns. A+ rating from NRA.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
John Buckley:
Freedom to carry AND freedom to marry
I don't fit the narrow mold of most political commentators. They just don't know what to make of me.I'm for limited government and free enterprise; I'm also for peace and civil liberties; I support the freedom to marry as well as the
freedom to carry. I believe in "live and let live." I'm for limited government and free enterprise; I'm also for peace and civil liberties; I support the freedom to marry as well as the freedom to carry. I believe in "live and let live."
Source: Charleston Daily Mail on 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Aug 12, 2014
Michael Folk:
No background checks; yes concealed carry
Q: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?A: No.
Q: Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
A: No.
Q: Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
A: Yes.
Q: Should a license be required for gun possession?
A: No.
Source: West Virginia State 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
Michael Folk:
Red flag gun laws unconstitutional & unacceptable
Red flag laws have been implemented in several anti-gun states. Without a hearing, and without ever being even charged with a crime, you will have your constitutional rights trampled and your property (supposedly protected by the Second Amendment)
confiscated. You will be forced to pay expensive legal fees to clear your name. However, no penalty under these laws exists for those who wrongfully accuse you. Unconstitutional. Unacceptable.
Source: WVPress.org on 2020 West Virginia Governor race
Aug 7, 2019
Natalie Tennant:
Vehemently disagrees with Obama administration on gun rights
At a women-focused Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee [fundraiser event], First Lady Michelle Obama noted that ObamaCare narrowly passed and gun control legislation was defeated by a narrow margin, which is why "it is critical that we
elect Michelle Nunn, Alison Grimes (and) Natalie Tennant.""It is critical because we all know that it's not enough to elect Barack Obama President if we don't give him a Congress that will help him keep moving this country forward. We know that now.
We've experienced it," the First Lady said. That's an applause line in Manhattan, but not so much in Mingo County.
When I asked the Tennant campaign for her reaction to Obama's comments, a spokeswoman said, "Natalie Tennant has been clear
that she is an independent voice who vehemently disagrees with the administration on a number of issues that are important to West Virginians, including gun rights, supporting the coal industry and the roll out of the Affordable Care Act."
Source: West Virginia MetroNews on 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Nov 20, 2013
Patrick Morrisey:
Fights the "gun grabbers"
A strong defender of the Second Amendment, Morrisey has earned A+ ratings from the NRA and the West Virginia Citizen's Defense League.
He has secured dozens of gun reciprocity agreements with other states to expand West Virginians' rights, and he took on the gun grabbers in court.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senatorial website PatrickMorrisey.com
Oct 1, 2017
Patrick Morrisey:
Keep Washington liberal gun grabbers off our guns
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?Joe Manchin (D): Opposes restrictions in most areas. Opposed banning semi-automatic weapons, but supports background
checks for gun show or internet sales.
Patrick Morrisey (R): No. Will keep hands of "gun grabbers" & "Washington liberals" off of American guns. A+ rating from NRA.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Issue Guide on West Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Paula Jean Swearengin:
Common-sense gun regulations & background checks
Q: What measures could help prevent gun violence and mass shootings?A: I support the 2nd Amendment, but common sense gun measures are needed. Every loophole for background checks should be closed. Online sales and gun shows should face more strict
regulation. Reducing poverty and improving the health and education quality of our communities can reduce violence of all types.
Q: What measures do you favor on background checks for gun purchases?
A: The overwhelming majority of citizens support common-sense gun measures. Background checks should be expanded to include purchases made at gun shows and private sales. The reporting criteria for checks must also be
mandated and further expanded to include red-flag behaviors, like non-gun violence, threats, mental health incidents, and school disciplinary actions. This will make background checks more effective overall.
Source: The Herald-Dispatch on 2018 West Virginia Senatorial race
Mar 27, 2018
Richard Ojeda:
Deaths and injuries every month from senseless gun violence
Ojeda tweeted that "75-100 folks (are) killed a month and over 200 wounded by senseless gun violence."
In fact, Ojeda understated the number of deaths and injuries from guns. His numbers are roughly right for gun deaths and injuries per day, rather than per month. We rate his statement Mostly False.
Source: PolitiFact fact-checking on 2020 West Virginia Senate race
Oct 17, 2019
Woody Thrasher:
I am a strong defender of the Second Amendment
On Republican values: "I think the Republican governor needs to represent Republican values," Thrasher said. "I am a strong defender of the right to life and the Second Amendment."
Thrasher went on to say that he believes he adheres to the Republican party platform more so than his opponent.
Source: Martinsburg Journal-News on 2020 West Virginia governor race
Feb 2, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023