Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy

When Mitt Romney ran for governor, he proposed no new gun control. The democrats blasted him for that:

“Karen Grant, spokeswoman for former state Sen. Warren E. Tolman said, "How could a serious candidate for governor issue a criminal justice proposal without any mention of gun control given the increasing gun violence?" ”

The Boston Herald - Dems come out swinging at Romney's anti-crime plan - Aug 21, 2002

However, in running for office in the least gun friendly state in the nation, he did soft pedal his pro-second amendment views. According to his 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Romney was "a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban. Mitt also believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms." (July 1st, 2002).  This was a clever strategic move, since that law overrode Massachusetts more stringent assault weapons ban, and as governor he would have no authority over keeping or removing a federal law.  By taking that position, he could sound tough on guns while maintaining a pro-gun rights philosophy in a relatively anti-gun state.

But how Governor Romney viewed gun control could only truly be determined by what actions he would take as governor.  When the federal assault weapons ban expired, he refused to call for its renewal (anti-gunners-experience).  Instead, he worked with legislators and gun-rights advocates to modify the existing assault weapons ban and gun control laws so that they were not as severe (assault weapons ban info).

Gun control advocates knew they were seeing a backlash of the very stringent gun-control laws they had gotten passed in 1998, which they could not stop.  But they did not want the ban to be completely removed or the reversal of gun control laws to go too far from their perspective.  They got involved with the process and ensured certain gun control measures were protected.  As a result, this pro-gun bill was viewed as a consensus law with the cooperation of gun-rights and gun-control advocates.  It lessened some of the gun-control measures but did not eliminate the assault weapons ban, which gun-rights advocates did not have the votes to accomplish. 

Consequently, when Governor Romney signed the bill, his press release indicated the law had provisions accomplishing gun-rights goals, but also preserved the gun ban.  Unfortunately for the governor, he was incorrectly informed that the gun ban that remained kept unusually dangerous weapons from public access and he made comments that angered gun rights advocates.  At the bill signing with legislators, sportsmen's groups and gun safety advocates, he said, "Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts. These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people." This mistake resulted in Governor Romney working more closely with gun rights advocates so that he better understood the gun rights issues, and collaborated with gun rights constituents on their needs and concerns better.  The remainder of his term saw better cooperation with the gun-rights lobby, resulting in several gun-rights laws being passed and no gun-control measures being passed (Massachusetts' Gun Owners Action League Report).

Governor Romney Is A Firm Supporter Of Second Amendment Rights. Despite a heavily Democratic anti-gun legislature, Governor Romney has been able to work across the aisle to simplify and clarify gun laws in Massachusetts.

Governor Romney Helped Simplify And Clarify Massachusetts' Gun Laws For Gun Owners:

• Governor Romney supported and signed into law legislation that clarified the term "loaded gun" so that hunters wouldn't have to unload their guns every time they crossed a public road in pursuit of game.
• In July 2006, Governor Romney signed H. 4552, which makes exemptions for the makers of customized target pistols, who, due to a provision within state law, found it increasingly difficult to do business in Massachusetts.
• On the 31st anniversary of the Gun Owner's Action League, Governor Romney declared May 7, 2005 as The Right to Bear Arms Day in Massachusetts.

Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy

2007

• "Americans should have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. I'm proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms." - Governor Mitt Romney, 01-12-2007, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Visits Firearms Industry's Trade Show

2005

• Also, in 2005, Romney designated May 7 as "The Right to Bear Arms Day" in Massachusetts to honor "the right of decent, law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms in defense of their families, persons, and property and for all lawful purposes, including the common defense."

2004

• “By making this common-sense change to the law we will enable target pistol manufacturers to do business in our state and allow enthusiasts to practice the sport they love.” - Governor Mitt Romney Press Release
• “Stun guns have proven time and time again when used by law enforcement officers in other states that they are an effective tool in stopping suspects. It is high time for our men and women in blue to utilize this modern crime fighting technology.” Governor Mitt Romney 07-15-2004 Press Release

2002

• In 2002, in a debate Mitt Romney said he did not approve of the strigent gun control laws passed in 1998 and wanted to change those laws to better allow for gun rights.  He moderated his answer by acknowledging that Massachusetts had strict gun laws and that he wouldn't undermine the laws with the efforts he would like to take.  During the campaign, Mitt Romney garnered a "B" grade from the NRA but had a more pro-gun platform than his opponent, who also received a "B" from the NRA.  During the campaign, the NRA supported but did not endorse Mitt Romney and gun control groups supported and endorsed his opponent (fact sheet with campaign gun record).

Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy Press Releases

2004

07-01-2004, Romney signs bill into law that lessens gun control measures. 

• This was not an extension of the assault weapons ban.  That ban was permanent.  This law lessened gun control measures in that ban and eased or removed other gun control measures. (Asked about the bill Friday, Romney described it as a "consensus measure" and a "positive step.")

2006

07-26- 2006, Governor Romney Approves Exemption for Target Pistols

2007

01-12-2007, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Visits Firearms Industry's Trade Show

Craig of Idaho had this to say about Mitt and Gun Control:

Couple of excerpts:

"Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has announced his candidacy for president, and I support him because he is someone who has a record of standing up for the rights of ordinary Americans – people who are starting a business, looking for a job, building a family, and enjoying the freedoms guaranteed to them by the U.S. Constitution.

"Those freedoms are under constant attack, and perhaps none is more threatened than the rights guaranteed to us by the Second Amendment: The right to bear arms.

"Romney understands that this right can be abridged in multiple ways – gun laws can be written poorly, giving desk-based bureaucrats the ability to take away a gun license from a law-abiding individual."

"How do I know Romney understands these things? Because I've studied his record – and it's impressive. As governor, he took real, meaningful steps to affirm our right to bear arms.

"Romney has shown that he is willing to confront the jumble of state gun laws in Boston – and if he can do that with an 85 percent Democratic legislature in one of the most liberal states in the country, think what he could do in Washington with a more supportive base in Congress.

"In 2004, Romney signed a sweeping reform of Massachusetts' gun laws that made the state's gun laws far less onerous for sportsmen."

"And then in 2005, Romney supported and signed into law legislation that clarified the definition of a loaded muzzleloader, so that hunters would understand exactly the safety precautions expected of them."

"Fact is, if Romney just talked about his support for the Second Amendment and the rights of gun owners, that would be welcome. But Romney has been doing more than talking – he has been taking action for several years, and his approach would be a welcome addition to the gun debates in Washington, D.C."