General: “I don’t think that we can get elected nationally if we are not prepared to stand up against powerful special interests. Too many die each year from guns.” (Primary Debate, 10/27/03)
Assault weapons ban: “I think the Brady Ban is reasonable, the assault weapons ban is reasonable. It’s reasonable to have some
waiting period [on gun purchases]. I’m not for [gun] registration. I’ve never been for gun registration.” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7/4/04)
Taxing guns: “I think you ought to tax all ammunition more,
personally. I think you ought to tax guns.” (CNN’s Late Edition, 11/7/93).
General: “I don’t think the Democratic Party should be the
candidacy of the NRA.” (Primary Debate, 11/5/03)
Joined Senate in unanimous consent (none objecting) in passage of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, to amend title 18, United States Code, to exempt qualified current and former law enforcement officers from state laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns (7/7/04).
Voted YES (and co-sponsored) Feinstein Semi-Auto Ban
(S. 1805, Vote #24, 3/2/04).
Voted YES on McCain Amendment to S. 1805 “to require criminal background checks on all firearms transactions occurring at events” (Vote #25, 3/2/04).
Voted YES on S. 254 Banning Firearms for Citizens Under 18. (Senate Roll Call 140, 5/20/99); Voted YES on Hatch-Craig Amendment to S. 254, (Vote #118, 5/14/99).