State of Massachusetts Archives: on Gun Control

Ayanna Pressley: Gun control needs to be implemented now

Don Berwick: Weapons of war have no place on our streets

A: "Weapons of war have no place on our streets or in our classrooms. We need Congress to step up and enact meaningful reform. But in the meantime, there are steps we can take in Massachusetts to reduce gun violence including increasing gun safety courses and limiting high-capacity magazines."

Ed Markey: Expand background checks; ban assault weapons; fight NRA

Markey said he believed assault weapons and high-capacity weapons should be banned, while Gomez only favors expanded background checks. "He takes the side of the NRA," said Markey, noting that he wanted to fight to make "NRA" stand for Not Relevant Anymore.

Gabriel Gomez: A lot of people in the GOP are wrong on gun control

In one of the evening's sharper exchanges Gomez said it was "beyond disgusting" that Markey raised the Newtown, Conn., school shooting in a television ad that faulted Gomez for not supporting a ban on high capacity magazine clips. "To think that you are the only political candidate to actually invoke the Newtown massacre for political gain is beyond disgusting," Gomez said.

Markey responded by saying, "Mr. Gomez thinks that when we talk about the differences between the two of us on very important issues, that somehow or other we are engaging in negative politics. We are not."

Ed Markey: Fight the NRA for broader gun control measures

The discussion pivoted on gun control for much of the first half-hour, with a lively exchange on the issue. "I want to go down to Washington to fight the NRA," Markey said.

"I oppose the NRA on expanded background checks," Gomez responded. Gomez reiterated his support for a bipartisan piece of legislation that would expand mandatory background checks for gun purchases. That legislation failed in the Senate earlier this year.

Markey argued that the bill is the minimum that ought to be done on gun control, noting it was supported by a West Virginian. He said a Senator from Massachusetts should support broader gun control measures in the age after the shooting at the Newtown, Conn. elementary school.

Gabriel Gomez: I oppose the NRA on expanded background checks

The discussion pivoted on gun control for much of the first 1/2-hour, with a lively exchange on the issue. "I want to go down to Washington to fight the NRA," Markey said.

"I oppose the NRA on expanded background checks," Gomez responded, saying we "need to fix this problem." Gomez reiterated his support for a bipartisan piece of legislation that would expand mandatory background checks for gun purchases. That legislation, sponsored by Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, failed in the Senate earlier this year.

Markey argued that the bill is the minimum that ought to be done on gun control, noting it was supported by a West Virginian. He said a Senator from Massachusetts should support broader gun control measures in the age after the shooting at the Newtown, Conn. elementary school.

Gabriel Gomez: In favor of closing the gun-show loophole

Gabriel Gomez: Tie gun sales to mental health checks

Winslow briefly dragged Gomez into a dispute by referencing a letter Gomez wrote to Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick seeking the interim Senate appointment, which has been Gomez's Achilles' heel. Gomez wrote that he supported Democratic President Barack Obama in 2008 and agreed with Obama on immigration and gun control. Gomez conceded during the debate that the letter "was worded poorly."

Gomez later said he only supports some of Obama's positions. Gomez responded that he supports closing the gun show loophole but not banning assault weapons. He acknowledged he could have worded the letter differently.

Deval Patrick: Strengthen existing gun laws; require background checks

Indicate which principles you support regarding guns.
• Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
• Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
• Require a license for gun possession.

Scott Brown: Concealed carry ok; but licenses & background checks ok too

Rep. Brown indicated he supports the following principles concerning gun issues:
• Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
• Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
• Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
• Require a license for gun possession.