How Obama and Romney Stack Up on the Second Amendment

As with every election cycle certain issues take center stage; however, one issue that has remained a near constant hot button topic is that of gun ownership and the right to keep and bear arms. Typically speaking Republican's tend to vote for pro-gun legislation that protects the individual's rights staunchly. Democrats on the other hand seem to favor policy that, while preserving the citizen's Second Amendment rights, calls for increased regulation, restrictions, and background checks. This is seen as encroaching and overbearing by the Republican camp who typically advocate for the least possible restrictions.

Republican Candidate Mitt Romney has worked hard to portray himself as die hard supporter despite several anti-gun bills he voted on at the onset of his career in politics. He now feels that there is sufficient legislation already within current policy to address the majority of gun ownership problems, and that the focus should be not on what new legislation to incorporate but rather designing policy that will help to effectively enforce current laws. His remarks on the National Rifle Association's "Celebration of American Values" boast unequivocal support:

  "Let me speak very directly and candidly about where I stand. I support the Second Amendment as one of the most basic and fundamental rights of every American. It's essential to our functioning as a free society, as are all the liberties enumerated in the Bill of Rights..."

 A year later in an interview with The Washington Post, Romney unveils his revised stance, Not as black and white as his statement to the NRA, he proposes enforcement of old policies, which could be seen as some gun enthusiasts as clever terminology for more restrictive legislation, here is the statement from January of 2008:

 
"I believe we need to focus on enforcing our current laws rather than creating new laws that burden lawful gun owners. I believe in safe and responsible gun ownership and that anyone who exercises the right to keep and bear arms must do so lawfully and properly. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all federal approach to gun ownership because people keep and use firearms for different reasons. Law-abiding citizens have a right to protect their homes and their families and as President, I will vigorously defend that right."

President Obama's views on the Second Amendment are relatively moderate considering several of his fellow Democrats stances. He recognizes that gun ownership, for its various uses, has remained a multifaceted issue. While many American's identify the right to keep and bear arms as an issue of heritage and cultural identity, there is a significant number of unlawful citizens who abuse this right and use firearms for criminal enterprise. At the 2008 Democratic debate in Philadelphia, Obama vocalizes his belief in individual communities right to work to combat this threat:


“I think it’s important for us to recognize that we’ve got a tradition of handgun ownership and gun ownership generally. And a lot of law-abiding citizens use it for hunting, for sportsmanship, and for protecting their families. We also have a violence on the streets that is the result of illegal handgun usage. And so I think there is nothing wrong with a community saying we are going to take those illegal handguns off the streets. And cracking down on the various loopholes that exist in terms of background checks for children, the mentally ill. We can have reasonable, thoughtful gun control measure that I think respect the Second Amendment and people’s traditions.”

 His stance has changed little since then, still advocating for responsible ownership with stricter laws and enforcement in crime ravaged areas more prone to gun related crime and violence.

While both candidates take largely different stances on the issue, both recognize it as an intrinsic part of American heritage, something passed down from generation to generation to be revered by those lawfully embracing it. Many opponents of Romney's view see it as too extreme and narrow minded in his view of universal ownership. Obama's stance is seen as more moderate, embracing heritage and culture while addressing the issues surrounding the diverse usage of firearms, especially handguns, in inner city communities.  As with every other election it will be interesting to see how the issue of gun ownership plays into the election and whether or not the candidates' will hold steadfast in their views.