Inventing Al Gore: on Gun Control

Supported gun rights in 1970s, because his constituents did

Gore opposed additional gun registration laws in 1976, despite having written an editorial at the Tennesseean in which he decried the proliferation of cheap handguns. “It seemed to me he was trying to reposition himself, said his Tennesseean editor. Gore bristled when reporters asked him about his newfound conservatism. ”I believe what I say,“ he protested. Privately, though, he was more candid. An editor recalls, ”Gore said, ‘Look, I’m running in a district where people favor guns, and there’s no way I can win if I take a position that indicates I’m going to take away their guns. It’s as simple as that.’“

Local gun owners were no exactly sold on their new best friend Al Gore. Their instincts were right. As a senator in 1990 he would support an unsuccessful attempt to ban assault-style weapons. A year later he voted for the Brady Bill, which required a 5-day waiting period and police background check for handgun purchases.

Source: Inventing Al Gore, p.119

*The above quotations are from Inventing Al Gore, by Bill Turque.* Click here for definitions & background information on Gun Control. Click here for more quotes by Al Gore on Gun Control.
*Other candidates on Gun Control:*
Pat Buchanan George W. Bush Al Gore Ralph Nader Harry Browne Dick Cheney Joe Lieberman *2002 Candidates:* Elizabeth Dole Janet Reno Jeb Bush Robert Reich	*Withdrawn Candidates:* Lamar Alexander Gary Bauer Bill Bradley Steve Forbes Orrin Hatch John Kasich Alan Keyes John McCain Dan Quayle Bob Smith Donald Trump Paul Wellstone
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)