Libertarian Party nominee for Vice Pres.; former GOP MA Governor; 2020 GOP Presidential Challenger
1990s: supported assault weapons bans
On guns:
Weld broke with Republicans to back assault weapons bans in the 1990s.
He has also supported waiting periods for firearms purchases and bans on handgun sales to individuals under 21.
Source: Business Insider background for 2019 GOP presidential debate
, Sep 24, 2019
Now Libertarian, changed position to opposing gun control
Once an advocate for strong gun control laws, Weld last week quickly made public his new position as
an anti-gun-control candidate -- in line with his fellow Libertarians.
Source: Boston Globe on 2016 Veepstakes/vice-presidential hopefuls
, May 26, 2016
2nd Amendment right s are individual rights
I am a lifelong hunter and gun owner. In 1993, as Governor of Massachusetts, I went along with modest restrictions on firearms. Governing involves tough choices. Today, I would make different choices. Restricting gun rights doesn't make us safer, and
threatens our constitutional freedoms. I support the Supreme Court's decision in the District of Columbia vs. Heller -- a decision that embraced the notion that Second Amendment rights are individual rights, not to be abridged by the government.
Source: Reason magazine OpEd by 2016 vice-presidential hopeful
, May 21, 2016
Supports gun control
Does the strange combination of thorough economic conservatism and social liberalism make Weld a libertarian?
Not unless libertarians also support expansive environmental regulations, gun control, and affirmative action.
Source: W. James Antle III in Spectator Magazine
, Aug 25, 2005
