Why does Barack Obama support some restrictions on gun ownership?

Answer 1

The official positionThe campaign website has no mention of gun control on any of its pages.

However, the downloadable PDF file of the Obama plan for rural America has the following to say:

Barack Obama and Joe Biden deeply respect America's sportsmen and are committed to protecting their rights. Tens of millions of Americans hunt and fish. Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that we can protect the rights of hunters and other lawful gun owners while still working to reduce gun violence and make sure that guns do not fall into the hands of criminals or the mentally ill.

The quotesIn an Illinois Senate Debate on Oct 21, 2004:

I think it is a scandal that this president did not authorize a renewal of the assault weapons ban.

In The Audacity of Hope (p215)

I believe in keeping guns out of our inner cities, and that our leaders must say so in the face of the gun manufacturer's lobby.

In 2007 NAACP Presidential Primary Forum on Jul 12, 2007

We've got to make sure that unscrupulous gun dealers aren't loading up vans and dumping guns in our communities, because we know they're not made in our communities.

As quoted in From Promise to Power, by David Mendell (p.250-251)

I am consistently on record and will continue to be on record as opposing concealed carry. This was a narrow exception in an exceptional circumstance where a retired police officer might find himself vulnerable as a consequence of the work he has previously done--and had been trained extensively in the proper use of firearms.

The legislation2000 - Cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month

2004 - Voted Yes to let retired police officers carry concealed handguns

2005 - Voted No on Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act

To eventually make it so time consuming, difficult, expensive and easy to violate the "reasonalble" regulations, that you either go to jail or give up on your Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Answer 2

Barack Obama, while believing in an individual right to bear arms, does support background checks and restriction of the sales of some firearms in some circumstances. He thinks that this promotes responsible gun ownership and public safety.

The party line is massive restriction and has been for years. President Obama is very much anti ownership. Diane Feinstein believes she will be able to bully massive restrictions now that the lest is in complete power.

They ignore the polls that show over 50% believe in the right to own weapons. Thankfully, gun ownership is quickly increasing as the population is starting to become aware of the facts.

Answer 3

Obama is not against gun ownership, although the Democrats usually campeign for more control over the sale of weapons.

Answer 4

he supports them