Why Did The Republicans Support Gun Control?

In contrast to Democrats (most supported gun control, some opposed it), most Republicans supported the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for every American, especially in reasonable grounds. But some Republicans supported gun control by banning guns, even for protection.

Fred Thompson is opposed to most gun control laws. Speaking of the Virginia Tech massacre, he said:

"Whenever I’ve seen one of those ‘Gun-free Zone’ signs, especially outside of a school filled with our youngest and most vulnerable citizens, I’ve always wondered exactly who these signs are directed at. Obviously, they don’t mean much to the sort of man who murdered 32 people just a few days ago."

Although his record in the Senate on guns is generally mixed. Thompson voted pro-gun 19 times and anti-gun 14 times. Additionally, Thompson voted for the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban, which restricts ownership and use of guns or ammunition by individuals convicted of misdemeanor or felony domestic violence.

McCain’s record on gun control is mixed. He co-sponsored the Gun Show Loophole Closing and Gun Law Enforcement Act of 2001. This act would reduce the number of gun shows, require gun-owners to purchase trigger locks, and allow federal agents to arrest those who violate federal gun laws. However, McCain has frequently voted in support of the Second Amendment, such as voting against background checks at gun shows and voting in support of prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. In August of 1999, McCain said he was open to voting for an assault weapon ban, depending on the details. However, he still voted against the Federal Assault Weapons Ban and the efforts to renew it, as well as the Brady Bill.

A top official of the National Rifle Association said McCain has been a reliable ally of gun owners despite divisions with the powerful lobbying group on some issues. NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre told The Associated Press "…We’re not foolish enough to ignore the vast areas of agreement in which John McCain has been a friend to gun owners." The Republican presidential nominee has voted against a ban on assault-type weapons with restrictions which were objected.

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Do you think the NRA is just plain wrong in some of their policies?

They have fought against every act of congress to make firearms safer. They fought against trigger locks, they fought against better serial number protection, against the assault weapons ban, against handgun background checks, against closing the gun show loophole.

Aren’t some of these stances at best negligent, at worse criminally irresponsible to what we know about firearms saftey and preventing violent crime? Shouldn’t the NRA get propose Gun control legislation that we all can live with, instead of fighting tooth and nail against even something as harmless as trigger locks and background checks?
Again I see right-wingers reading something that isn’t here. I am not for the abolition of all firearms in America. I am for our nation standing up and doing what is right; we need better laws and regulation to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous people.

The NRA has an opportunity to be a part of a comprehensive solution to the gun problem; shouldn’t they get on board instead of standing in the way?

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I'm 18 and i wanted to know if i can buy and possess a handgun in louisiana from a private seller? NEW LAW?

I’m 18 and i always thought you had to be 21 to buy or posses a handgun. But I was reading and i read that i could purchase from a private non licensed dealer. But i also ran across this GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE CLOSING ACT OF 2009 that says "Firearm Transfers – will be done by licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers only." Does this mean that if this is passed if it hasnt already been passed, i’ll have to wait till im 21 to buy a handgun since an 18 year old is not allowed to buy from a licensed dealer?

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Gun show Loophole – Selling Weapons?

Help me understand the Gun show loophole. From what I understand, an individual can sell their weapons at a gunshow without running a backround check. Does this also mean they can sell their weapon without needing to go through a person/business with a Federal Firearms License to complete the transfer?

In other words, can I sell a Glock Pistol to somebody who says, "Hey, I’ll give you 0 bucks for that Glock", and just take the money, give them the gun and call it a day? No paper work, no checks, no license, no nothing? Is that the Gun Show Loophole?