Clinton calls for reinstating assault weapons ban while Trump says he 'absolutely wouldn't' consider it
On Monday, Hillary Clinton proposed reinstating the assault weapons ban that expired 12 years ago, telling CNN's New Day that "we've got to get back to common sense safety reform."
The Federal Assault Weapons Ban prevented the purchase of semi-automatic guns, such as the AR-15-style rifle used by Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen when he took 49 lives Sunday. The original ban, signed by Clinton's husband, President Bill Clinton, expired in 2004 after being highly criticized by pro-gun groups such as the NRA.
Clinton clarified that individuals do have the right to own guns. "I believe law-abiding, responsible Americans have the right to bear guns, but I also believe with the vast majority of Americans that there are common-sense, constitutionally permissible steps that we can take to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists while respecting the Second Amendment," she said.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Donald Trump took the opposite position Monday, telling Today that he "absolutely wouldn't" ban assault weapons "because people need protection."
"First of all, there's millions of them out there. Millions of millions so they're already out there, number one," he said. "So the bad guys will have the assault rifles and the people trying to protect themselves will be standing there with a BB gun."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Political cartoons for October 25Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include hospital bill trauma, Independence Day, and more
-
Roasted squash and apple soup recipeThe Week Recommends Autumnal soup is full of warming and hearty flavours
-
Ukraine: Donald Trump pivots againIn the Spotlight US president apparently warned Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept Vladimir Putin’s terms or face destruction during fractious face-to-face
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
