Mark Dayton on Gun Control

Former Democratic Jr Senator (MN, 2001-2007)

Against gun registration

All three candidates agreed on virtually all aspects of the issue. Gibson suggested the government put more money into enforcing existing laws. Grams chided Dayton for saying he was against gun registration, saying he (Dayton) had answered several surveys to the contrary. Source: By Bob Collins, Minnesota Public Radio on-line Nov 6, 2000

Opposes gun licensing and gun registration

Grams Attack: When asked about a bill where, if you file your taxes, you will have to claim every gun and there’s a tax on guns, Grams responded, “Right. That’s what Mark Dayton would support.”

FACT: Mark Dayton opposes gun licensing and gun registration. Mark will not let anyone take away his rights and he won’t let anyone take away the rights of Minnesota hunters.

Source: Press Release, “Fact versus Fiction # 2” Oct 31, 2000

For background checks & trigger locks

I support the Second Amendment and will continue my support as Senator. I support current law, including the ban on assault weapons and I support the federal law, including background checks on all purchasers of firearms. I do believe that trigger locks should be provided on new handguns, and I believe those who sell guns at gun shows should be subject to the same requirements as other firearm dealers. Source: Minnesota Newspaper Association Election Questionnaire Jul 2, 2000

Zero tolerance for guns in schools

I strongly support the law which makes it a federal offense to possess and discharge a gun within 1,000 feet of a school. There should be zero tolerance for guns in schools! Source: Minnesota Newspaper Association Election Questionnaire Jul 2, 2000

Supports some licensing & some registration

Supports Licensing of Handgun Owners if the law would guarantee that adults without criminal convictions will be issued such licenses. Favors such a law as a law enforcement tool
Supports Registration of handguns: “terms of sale” registration for future handgun purchases and re-sales. Opposed retroactive registration
Supports Minimum Product Safety Standards for the manufacture of hand guns
Supports closing the gun show loophole and requiring background checks of gun show buyers.

Source: MillionMomMarch.com Jul 2, 2000

Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers.

A bill to prohibit civil liability actions from being brought or continued against manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition for damages, injunctive or other relief resulting from the misuse of their products by others. Voting YES would:

Exempt lawsuits brought against individuals who knowingly transfer a firearm that will be used to commit a violent or drug-trafficking crime
Exempt lawsuits against actions that result in death, physical injury or property damage due solely to a product defect
Call for the dismissal of all qualified civil liability actions pending on the date of enactment by the court in which the action was brought
Prohibit the manufacture, import, sale or delivery of armor piercing ammunition, and sets a minimum prison term of 15 years for violations
Require all licensed importers, manufacturers and dealers who engage in the transfer of handguns to provide secure gun storage or safety devices

Reference: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; Bill S 397 ; vote number 2005-219 on Jul 29, 2005

Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence.

Vote to pass a bill that would block certain civil lawsuits against manufacturers, distributors, dealers and importers of firearms and ammunition, mainly those lawsuits aimed at making them liable for gun violence. In this bill, trade groups would also be protected The bill would call for the dismissal of pending lawsuits against the gun industry. The exception would be lawsuits regarding a defect in a weapon or ammunition. It also would provide a 10-year reauthorization of the assault weapons ban which is set to expire in September 2004. The bill would increase the penalties for gun-related violent or drug trafficking crimes which have not resulted in death, to a minimum of 15 years imprisonment. The bill calls for criminal background checks on all firearm transactions at gun shows where at least 75 guns are sold. Exemptions would be made available for dealers selling guns from their homes as well as members-only gun swaps and meets carried out by nonprofit hunting clubs. Reference: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; Bill S.1805/H.R.1036 ; vote number 2004-30 on Mar 2, 2004

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*Other candidates on Gun Control:*		*Mark Dayton on other issues:*
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Page last updated: Dec 02, 2008