John Kasich on Gun Control
Republican Governor; previously Representative (OH-12); 2000 candidate for President
Registering mentally ill is first priority in gun control
Q: Bill Bratton, New York City Police Commissioner, says he wants Congress to ban the ability of anybody on a terrorist watch list to buy a firearm, even if they're an American citizen. It's a proposal that's sitting in Congress. The N.R.A.'s not happy with it, where are you on it?
KASICH: I've never heard it until right now. I have a lot of respect for Bill Bratton, but I will also tell you that Americans want to defend themselves. And that what we really need to focus on firearms right now is making sure that states use their databases to upload the people who have mental illnesses. And if we want to examine people who are on terrorist watch lists and not let them buy a gun, it's something that ought to be considered. It's the first I've ever heard of it. Source: Meet the Press 2015 interviews of 2016 presidential hopefuls , Nov 22, 2015
2nd Amendment advocate: NRA rating changed from "F" to "A"
Q: Let me pick up on another issue that some conservatives have with you. Back in 1994, you voted for the assault weapons ban that Bill Clinton was proposing, which earned you an "F" from NRA. Now, your NRA rating is a straight "A". What would you say to a gun rights advocate who is going to say I'm not sure I like the guy who at one time had an "F" from the NRA?
KASICH: That was an assault weapon ban. I'm a Second Amendment advocate. I don't believe the government should be taking guns from people. I think people have a right to be armed. It's about keeping the Second Amendment and it's allowing legitimate gun owners to be able to do what they want, which is exercise their constitutional right. So people don't need to worry about that.
Q: Do you regret your vote for the assault weapons ban in '94?
KASICH: No, when I look at it now, it was superfluous. We were adding a law that had no impact. And I don't think that's ever smart to do. Source: Fox News Sunday 2015 coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls , Aug 2, 2015
Keep existing restrictions, but tighten up on terrorist guns
Kasich indicates support of the following principles concerning gun issues.
Maintain all federal registration procedures and restrictions on possessing firearms.
Implement tighter restrictions on firearm sales in an effort to hinder terrorist groups from stockpiling weapon arsenals.
Source: Congressional 1996 National Political Awareness Test , Nov 1, 1996
Cool off before making new gun laws after Littleton
Although he voted for the 1994 federal ban on assault weapons, Kasich said that lawmakers should have a cooling-off period after high-profile acts of violence before trying to pass new laws. Kasich noted that the two students who killed 13 people and themselves last month in Littleton, Colo., violated 19 existing gun laws. "There were already a bunch of laws," Kasich said. "The kids didn't pay attention to the laws. I don't think new laws will solve all the problems." Source: Omaha World-Herald, "Kasich Tours Iowa", 5/23/99 , May 23, 1999
More parenting better than more gun laws
Kasich said that the better response [to the Columbine shootings] may not involve gun control. He said parents could do more to help their children feel safe if they could choose where to send their children to school. He also advocated legislation that would allow businesses to provide more flexible working schedules, a change that he said would give parents more time at home with children. "In most homes, both parents work and nobody has the time to spend with their children anymore," he said. Source: Omaha World-Herald, "Kasich Tours Iowa", 5/23/99 , May 23, 1999
Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1.
Vote to pass a bill requiring anyone who purchases a gun at a gun show to go through an instant background check which must be completed within 24 hours [instead of 72 hours]. Reference: Bill introduced by McCollum, R-FL; Bill HR 2122 ; vote number 1999-244 on Jun 18, 1999
Opposes restrictions on the right to bear arms.
Kasich opposes the CC survey question on right to bear arms
The Christian Coalition voter guide [is] one of the most powerful tools Christians have ever had to impact our society during elections. This simple tool has helped educate tens of millions of citizens across this nation as to where candidates for public office stand on key faith and family issues.
The CC survey summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: "Further restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms" Source: Christian Coalition Survey 10-CC-q10 on Aug 11, 2010
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