Rand Paul on Gun Control
TL;DR
Rand Paul strongly opposes new gun control laws, viewing them as infringements on the rights of law-abiding citizens.
Key Points
He voted against an amendment that sought to ban high-capacity magazines holding over 10 rounds on April 17, 2013.
The Senator pledges to remain vigilant against infringements on the Second Amendment, viewing gun rights as fundamental.
In 2024, he suggested focusing on prosecuting felons attempting to buy guns using existing laws, rather than passing new legislation.
Summary
Rand Paul maintains a firm stance against enacting new gun control legislation, asserting that such laws only restrict responsible, law-abiding citizens while high-risk individuals will still find ways to acquire firearms. He contends that politicians often give lip service to the Second Amendment but then vote to restrict gun ownership once in office. He emphasizes that the Second Amendment is intrinsically linked to the Fourth Amendment; without freedom from unreasonable, warrantless searches, the right to bear arms is not truly safe from government overreach.
Instead of new restrictions, the Senator has proposed addressing gun violence by increasing enforcement of existing laws, specifically by dedicating federal resources to prosecute felons who attempt to illegally purchase firearms. He has also taken legislative action against measures he views as restrictive, such as voting against a ban on high-capacity magazines and opposing the ratification of the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty, which he felt could lead to a national gun registry and impinge on U.S. sovereignty.
Key Quotes
I do not support any proposed gun control law which would limit the right to gun ownership by those who are responsible, law-abiding citizens.
Sometimes, when we think about gun violence, we get polarized," mused Paul. "Republicans are here, Democrats are here; nothing's happening because we disagree. There is some truth to that; there are definitely disagreements on how we move forward, but I think there are also some things we could do that we could all agree on."
Instead of standing up for the Second Amendment, some of my colleagues chose to keep in place restrictive gun control laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rand Paul is a strong opponent of new gun control measures, believing they only affect responsible citizens who obey the law. He states he will not support any proposed legislation that would limit the right to gun ownership for law-abiding individuals. His focus is often on upholding the entire Bill of Rights.
His fundamental opposition to new gun control laws appears consistent, rooted in a strict interpretation of the Second Amendment, as evidenced across his campaign materials and Senate record. However, his approach to addressing gun violence has evolved to emphasize the prosecution of existing violations over legislative creation.
The Senator vigorously opposed the United States entering into the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty. He warned that the treaty was ambiguous and lacked a binding reference to individual self-defense rights. Paul pledged to oppose its ratification, arguing it would subject the U.S. to international norms and could lead to a national gun registry.
Sources4
Protecting Gun Rights
Senator Rand Paul talks guns, violent crime, and foreign aid on Lexington visit
Rand Paul Campaign Press Release - Earlier Today, the United States Senate Voted on Senator Rand Paul's "SECURE Act" and "The Defend Our Capital Act of 2015"
Rand Paul on Gun Control
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.