Al Gore on Gun Control

Al Gore's position on gun control demonstrated a significant evolution, particularly leading up to the 2000 presidential election, where he embraced more stringent measures than he had supported earlier in his career as a Congressman from Tennessee. While campaigning as the Democratic nominee, he focused his proposals on gun safety, explicitly stating his measures were aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals and were not intended to affect hunters or sportsmen. Key elements of his platform included mandatory background checks for all new handgun purchases through a state-run photo licensing system, a three-day waiting period, and banning assault weapons and so-called "junk guns."

This shift positioned him as a strong proponent of new legislation, highlighted by his claim of casting the tie-breaking Senate vote to close the gun show loophole. During the election cycle, he was notably challenged by a primary opponent for his past, more conservative voting record, including votes against some limitations while in Congress. Despite his advocacy for new federal controls, he expressed a pragmatic approach, focusing on what was politically achievable to pass, which sometimes meant supporting licensing only for new handgun purchases rather than a universal registration system advocated by some colleagues.