Democrats vs. Republicans: The Great Gun Divide

Photo of: Democrat donkey and Republican Elephant

In the turbulent river of politics, do you notice a divide exists? Republicans and Democrats can’t agree on gun policy. Guess what? Their websites show it.

As a general rule, Democrats favor more gun control than Republicans. Democratic candidate websites have special tabs dedicated to regulations. Conversely, Republicans verbally say they support gun rights. But candidate sites don’t acknowledge the issue in detail.

Scouring websites takes a lot of time. Thankfully, I did the work for you. I combined the most universal gun policies between our 2 main political parties. Below you will find the summaries.

Democrats and Lack of Gun Rights

The Democrats are widely known for denying gun rights. Their stance became evident in the post-Civil War era. As the Democrats evolved through the decades, their anti-gun sentiments increased.

General Policy Overview:

States are a great representation of how each political party represents gun policy. In blue states like California, they have some of the most restrictive gun policy laws. Many gun control organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety rank CA #1 in firearm restrictions.

Thus, this is a prime example of how the Democratic Party views gun rights. They prioritize public safety over civilian weapons access.

Guns, as objects, are the focus instead of the person using the firearm.

Reducing the overall availability of firearms is the primary objective. Many of their campaigns disguise themselves as “public safety” initiatives.

Some of the leading Democratic gun control states are:

  • California
  • New York
  • Illinois

For instance, Illinois attributes gun control failures to neighboring Republican states like Indiana. As a result, some Democratic lawmakers want more stringent firearm laws.

Their stance on gun rights generally aligns with:

“Advocate for more laws and regulations”

Overall Democratic Party Position

One keynote to remember is some Democrats are single-issue voters. Their primary concern might not be gun rights. They may own firearms. But their loyalties remain with the party that supports the strongest social welfare policies.

Type of Right Supported:

Collective

Views of the Militia:

  • National Guard is the modern militia
  • History outdated the citizen soldier the 2nd Amendment seeks to protect
  • A standing army is not dangerous to liberty

Type of Research Promoted:

Want to form special task forces to research causes of gun violence.

Types of Donations Received:

  • $12.34 million in campaign donations

Since 1990 gun control organizations donated 99% of funds to Democratic candidates.

The top contributors include gun control organizations listed below:

  • Everytown for Gun Safety
  • Gifford’s PAC

Source: Opensecrets.org
2021-2022 campaign donation years

Gun Policies Advertised:

Gun Control Measures

Description/Clarification

Purchase Limits on Guns
  • Restrictions on the number or the amount of gun purchases

Waiting Periods
  • Required waiting periods between when you buy and receive a firearm.
  • The universal standard in most states is 7 to 10 days

Licensing and Renewal Requirements
  • Must go through a government-mandated licensing program to obtain the privilege of buying a firearm
  • Most Democrats compare it to obtaining a driver’s license

Stringent Transportation Laws
  • Strict laws regarding the transportation of guns.
  • I.e., Disassembling firearms during interstate travel, even between states.

Forming a Gun Violence Committee
  • Establish a committee to research and suggest gun control policies.

Declaring Gun Violence, a National Emergency
  • Declare gun violence a national health epidemic enabling specific actions through government fiat.

Assault Weapons Ban
  • Ban firearms such as the AR-15 or AK-47
  • Redefine firearm definitions to include other types of weapons in sweeping legislation

Safe Storage Laws for Children
  • Legislation specifying safe- or locked-up firearms around children.

Increased Taxes on Gun Manufacturers
  • Increase taxes on gun manufacturers targeting their financials or deterring their production.

Minimum Age for Gun Purchasers
  • Raising the age to purchase all firearms to 21 and older.

Red Flag Laws
  • Often called “Risk Protection Orders”
  • Laws involving the removal of firearms from individuals who pose a risk to others or society.

Repeal Gun Manufacturer Protections
  • Repealing lawful protections shielding gun manufacturers from liability when others illegally use their products.

Increased Signage Regulations
  • Heightened regulations on signage at gun stores warning of their harmful use.
  • Similar to surgeon general warnings on the sides of cigarettes.

Recent Youth Voting Trend Statistics 2022:

  • Overall, 71 % of young women voted for Democrats
    1
    • 89% of Black women
    • 64% of White women
    • 79% of Latina women
  • 53% of men voted for Democrats

Young voters- 18-29 years old

Source: Tufts.edu

2nd Amendment Articles:

• Do the Democrats infringe on the Amendment? LEARN MORE about the types and levels of infringement as I explain them in my article.

• Gun Control- A divisive phrase. LEARN MORE about ordinary arguments used for gun control.

Republican Position

Republicans and Support of Gun Rights

Republicans aren’t a complete pro-gun party. But they’re the closest in the American political system.

General Policy Overview:

Usually, Republicans support the vast majority of gun rights proposals. Some Republicans support gun control measures, particularly after notable events.

The Republicans who support gun rights believe citizens should have autonomy and self-defense. Liberty is the foundation of the matter.

In the rare instances of tragedy, Republicans focus on the person using the gun instead of the gun itself.

Republican states with a strong emphasis on gun rights are greatest in the Southern and Midwestern regions.

States such as:

  • Florida
  • Missouri
  • Wyoming

Overall, they believe in:

“more guns, less crime”

Overall Republican Slogan

The root of the gun violence is a cultural issue- not the 2nd Amendment or civilian gun ownership.

Type of Right Supported:

Individual

Views of the Militia:

Volunteer civilian militia with access to own weapons

Types of Research Promoted:

Majority of funding for mental health research

Types of Donations Received:

  • $11.38 million to Republican and conservative political affiliations
  • $5.7 million– Contributed the most by the National Rifle Association

Leading contributors to the conservative gun rights agenda include:

  • National Rifle Association (NRA)
  • Gun Owners of America (GOA)
  • Delta Defense, LLC

Source: opensecrets.org
2021-2022 donation years

Gun Policies Promoted:

Gun Policy Measures

Description/Clarification

Increase Gun Reciprocity among States
  • One of the most popular and biggest policies
  • Advocates for national reciprocity allowing concealed carry permits to be valid in every state
  • Advertised as the Constitutional Carry Act

Arming Teachers in Schools
  • A volunteer armed teacher program receives training in the use of guns
  • Comparable programs include the post 9/11 aviation safety initiative called Federal Flight Deck Officer (trained pilots with firearms)

Placing Security Guards in Schools
  • A plan to invest tax dollars in more armed security at schools with off-duty cops or veterans
  • Some proposals include suggestions for 3 armed security guards
  • Research shows that a visible presence is enough to deter suspected criminals away

Mental Health Funding
  • Republicans believe the basis of gun issues occurs due to mental health
  • Allocates funds to mental health professionals for better treatment and prevention of tragedies

No Overall Restrictions on Gun Purchases
  • Reduce the government controls on firearms
  • I.e., no licensing limitations, no waiting periods

Support for Background Checks
  • One of the few proposals some Republicans support is universal background checks.

Recent Youth Trend Voting Statistics:

  • Overall, 26% of women voted for Republicans
    • 7% of Black women
    • 33% of White women
    • 17% of Latina women
  • 42% of men voted for Republicans
  • 64% of youth in rural areas voted for Republicans

Young people: 18-29 years old

Source: tufts.edu

Additional Resource FOR YOU:

If you want to know what a majority of state senators think of guns, here is an article from PBS.

Where do Democrats and Republicans stand on guns as a right or privilege? LEARN MORE about this common gun question explained.

References:

Party, D. (2023, October). Preventing Gun Violence. Retrieved from Democratic National Committee.

Staff, A. Y. (2023, October). Gun Safety. Retrieved from Yang2020.

Staff, E. W. (2023, October). Protection Our Communities from Gun Violence. Retrieved from Warren for Senate.

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J. Liberty

I'm a constitutional advocate and a lover of American history. My goal is to share this knowledge in an engaging manner to make you think about freedoms we take for granted. I'm excited to announce the launch of my new YouTube channel soon. Go to the About Me for more information and a cool video.

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