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Tom Foley on Gun Control

 

 


Newtown law added inconveniences on law-abiding citizens

Tom Foley is critical of the state's sweeping gun control laws passed after the 2012 elementary school shooting in Newtown. But when asked what measures he would support, Foley wouldn't say.

Foley declined to take a position on the Connecticut law that prohibits the sale of ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. The ban was signed into law by Gov. Dan Malloy (D) last year as part of a comprehensive package that also expanded background checks for private gun sales and broadened the state's assault weapons ban to include newer firearms models. "I'm not going to rewrite the bill, but there were a lot of inconveniences put on law-abiding citizens that wouldn't have prevented what happened in Newtown," Foley said. "These guns were bought with a background check and everything was legal. My bill would have been different." When pressed further on what that alternative bill might look like, Foley said, "I'm not going to answer that question."

Source: Huffington Post on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race , Aug 7, 2014

Let stand current gun laws, but no specific proposals

Foley said he dislikes some of the sweeping gun controls enacted in response to the Sandy Hook school massacre in Newtown, but offered no specifics. [Foley's primary opponent John] McKinney tried to capitalize on Foley's reticence. McKinney said. "When the Newtown tragedy happened, I had the courage to take a stand and fight for the people I represent. Tom sat on the sidelines and lobbed criticisms, and he has yet to offer one specific plan about what he would do."

Foley let the remark pass. Foley has made the calculation there is no profit in expressing an opinion about whether the state was right to ban the sales of military-style weapons such as the AR-15 rifle and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Instead, Foley has tried to neutralize the issue by saying he would not seek the repeal or the revision of the law, which McKinney voted for and Malloy signed. In a GOP primary, polls indicate the advantage lies not with the legislator who voted for gun control.

Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial debate , Jul 17, 2014

Enough on gun control; focus on preventing another Newtown

The Connecticut Democratic Party pointed out that Foley has refused to take a stand on the historic gun safety legislation that just passed the legislature, backed by a sizable number of Republican votes. Yet despite having some cover from members of his own party, it's a topic Foley clearly does not want to discuss:

"Foley last month said he wanted to wait until the police report was issued on the slayings by Adam Lanza of 26 people, including 20 first-graders, at Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14 in Newtown. That report is not due out until June. 'I thought gun legislation ought to focus on what would prevent another Newtown from happening,' Foley said. 'Newtown has obviously been politicized nationally.'"

Foley also accused Malloy of using the Newtown tragedy "to change the subject away from the budget; [the Newtown gun bill] includes a lot of things totally unrelated to Newtown" he said. Pressed on which aspects were irrelevant to the murders, Foley said, "Enough on gun control. It's over."

Source: Daily Kos on 2014 Connecticut Governor race , Apr 15, 2013

Supports 2nd amendment but require reporting stolen firearms

Foley would have signed a gun-control measure passed in 2007 requiring gun owners to report stolen firearms. "I support the 2nd Amendment. I'm a gun owner myself, but I think with gun ownership comes responsibility."
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut Governor race , Dec 31, 2010

Other candidates on Gun Control: Tom Foley on other issues:
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Dan Malloy
Danny Drew
David Walker
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