Fred Thompson on Gun Control
March 28th, 2007 by Syd
There’s a lot of noise about Fred Thompson tossing his hat into the ring for the Republican nomination for President. I guess he might as well. Bruce Willis doesn’t seem to be interested. In scanning the web, I could find a gazillion articles about “Why Fred Thompson should run for president.” All I could find on him about gun rights and gun control is the following:
Opposes gun control. “You check my record. You’ll find I’m pretty consistent on that issue.” Source
1. He voted against background checks at gun shows (to close the loopholes) in 1999.
2. Voted yes on maintaining current law not requiring that guns be sold with trigger locks. 1998. Source
“[Chris] Wallace posed the question of gun control and again Thompson made his position extremely clear. Reflecting on the recent federal court ruling striking down the DC gun ban, Thompson said he agreed with the court. The right to own guns IS an individual right, that is what the Constitution says and Thompson agrees with the Constitution!” Source
WALLACE: Gun control.
THOMPSON: Well, I’m against gun control generally. You know, you check my record. You’ll find I’m pretty consistent on that issue.
WALLACE: So this federal court — appeals court ruling this last week, I guess Friday, in the case of D.C. — you’d be perfectly happy to have people have handguns in their homes?
THOMPSON: Yes. Absolutely. The court basically said the Constitution means what it says, and I agree with that. Source
Well, that’s about it. After surfing about a gazillion web pages, that’s all I could turn up. Fred Thompson is generally against gun control. Does he own a gun? Does he have a CCW permit? Is he an NRA member? Has he done a freaking thing for gun rights except voting in the right direction a couple of times in the late 90’s? If so, nobody knows. If anyone has any more specific information about Fred Thompson’s stance on gun rights, let me know and I’ll be happy to post it.
Well, the non-candidate responded. In the wake of the VT shooting, he posted this on the ABC radio site:
One of the things that’s got to be going through a lot of peoples’ minds now is how one man with two handguns, that he had to reload time and time again, could go from classroom to classroom on the Virginia Tech campus without being stopped. Much of the answer can be found in policies put in place by the university itself…
…In recent years, however, armed Americans — not on-duty police officers — have successfully prevented a number of attempted mass murders. Evidence from Israel, where many teachers have weapons and have stopped serious terror attacks, has been documented. Supporting, though contrary, evidence from Great Britain, where strict gun controls have led to violent crime rates far higher than ours, is also common knowledge.
So Virginians asked their legislators to change the university’s “concealed carry” policy to exempt people 21 years of age or older who have passed background checks and taken training classes. The university, however, lobbied against that bill, and a top administrator subsequently praised the legislature for blocking the measure…
…When people capable of performing acts of heroism are discouraged or denied the opportunity, our society is all the poorer. And from the selfless examples of the passengers on Flight 93 on 9/11 to Virginia Tech professor Liviu Librescu, a Holocaust survivor who sacrificed himself to save his students earlier this week, we know what extraordinary acts of heroism ordinary citizens are capable of.
Many other universities have been swayed by an anti-gun, anti-self defense ideology. I respect their right to hold those views, but I challenge their decision to deny Americans the right to protect themselves on their campuses — and then proudly advertise that fact to any and all…” Read the whole thing here
Well, he’s got my vote
Additional Reading:
More on Fred Thompson on Gun Control
Thompson’s star rises with GOP
[…] Fred Thompson is very clear on his stances when it comes to our Constitutional right to carry a weapon. He’s proudly stated he is a 2nd amendment supporter in many, if not most of his recent public appearances. Front Sight, Press has some interest thoughts. Opposes gun control. “You check my record. You’ll find I’m pretty consistent on that issue.” Source […]
While he’s a long shot, the only proven 2A-supporter running for President is Ron Paul.
Wasn’t Reagan president in 1986? A stellar year for gun control.
I like Thompson on guns, abortion and other issues. He seems to be a solid conservative, as opposed to say, Bush, Rudi Gulliani, McCain, and some others who are not.
I keep learning the truth of it- nobody’s perfect. I wish he’d opposed Campaign Finance Reform. But I also remember the way it was posed to the public, it was “reform” and it sounded good. His buddy McCain can’t claim he was fooled, he wrote the dam thing. But I want to believe Fred when he says “maybe we ought to just scrap the whole thing”.
Ron Paul can’t be elected, whether he’s actually the nut a lot of people think he is or not. It’s what people (you know, “People”) think of him that gets him elected, not what he is.
Fred is on the right side more than any of the ones the Media want us to nominate, and he is more “electable” than any candidate from any party TODAY.
He’s my man.
I wonder if we could just Draft fred to run for president, Gulliani, Mccain are both loosers!!!I alway’s liked Fred Thompson a down to earth guy.
When Reagan was pres., he inherited the garbage left behind by Carter, who was the worse president we ever had. (so far).
I have spoken with the former senator regarding his feelings about the 2nd amendment and I believe he’s sincere in everything he has said. I will stipulate that there isn’t very much on the record from him, but I am from the south and a strongly supportive NRA member and a retired cop and I would vote for Fred in a heartbeat. Sure, he’s been an actor…but you can’t accuse him of being a pretty face…can you? Where Fred is from you don’t hide your feelings and beliefs easily. By the time you’ve been around long enough to get elected to any office the folks there know you…not by just what you say, but by how you act and behave when it’s time to root hog, or die. Tennesseans respect and admire Fred as much as they despise and ridicule Albert Gore, Jr. If you listen you’ll hear the former called “Fred”. The other one is called several names, few of which are repeatable. My respects to all.
He is the best conservative to be mentioned yet. Just look at the pack to compare on issue by issue. I like his direct speaking style.
There is a website up at www.fred08.com where you can “sign” a petition asking Mr. Thompson to run for President. Myself, I feel he would have a better chance at winning and be more pro-gun than any candidate running right now.
Since I first learned about Fred Thompson’s possible candidacy, I’ve been pretty comfortable with the idea. Although he hasn’t been overly vocal on the 2A issue, he does seem to have made an unequivocal statement about his position supporting gun rights. Sure, he faces a serious uphill battle to make it all the way to the Oval Office, but in his favor, he’s about as likable as any politician currently drawing breath.
But now we also have another Thompson to consider. I heard just the other day that Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson has announced his candidacy. I won’t go into a lot of detail here about his political track record, but just say that he’s always been solidly conservative on the issues, including 2A.
Frankly, if I get the opportunity to vote Thompson in ‘08, I’ll gladly do so, for either of them.
Steve
Carter our worst president?
Not even close.
How about the one who killed over half a million Americans in a war he waged on his own people? And did it solely to force one group of people to buy stuff from his political cronies?
Or how about the one who set up the whole socialist/entitlement system that has grown to the point where it will swallow half of everything you make and give you back nothing?
Or how about the dimwit who fed 50,000 American soldiers into a Southeast Asia meat-grinder… without a clue or plan or even a concrete goal? Who imposed rules of engagement that only meant one thing - dead Americans.
Carter was a boob. He gave away the Panama Canal and was soft on… well, everything. And while I’m a Reagan fan generally, Reagan’s record on the Second Amendment sucked.
Why is no one mentioning the real conservative who is considering a run? His name (although hardly known) is Duncan Hunter Republican Congressman.
How did Fred Thompson vote on the BOGUS Assault weapons ban ? and will he maintain the present status ?
Duncan Hunter is great on guns. The trouble is that he’s not getting a bit of traction as a candidate. His support is within the statistical margin of error. Sadly, none of the real conservative — Hunter, Huckabee and Tancredo — are getting anywhere with their campaigns. If you want to read an excellent review with Hunter, go to http://tinyurl.com/2aysfs.
On Thompson and the AWB, he wasn’t in Congress when it was being voted on.
This is from GOA’s Page.
http://gunowners.org/pres08/thompson2.htm
Fred Thompson is a CFR member. No thanks…
I assume you mean the Council on Foreign Relations, and not The College of Forest Resources or Cullen Frost Bankers?
Fred Thompson is a sleeper agent for the gun-grabbing global elitists. Not only is he a member of the elitist Council on Foreign Relations, he’s also a member of the elitist American Enterprise Institute.
Fred Thompson will do the bidding of his elitist friends and surrender this nation’s sovereignty to the North American Union enroute to one big, ‘happy’ global government, sans private gun ownership.
He’s also pro-amnesty for illegal aliens.
Fred Thompson only tells you what you want to hear.
These folks have his number -
http://conservativesagainstfred.wordpress.com/
Ron Paul is being ignored by the media. Ron Paul is the ONLY presidential hopeful who upholds the Constitution in all of his thoughts and deeds. Ron Paul is the ONLY presidential hopeful who appeals to one’s commone sense.
Are you going to allow the media to dictate to you who is to be considered ‘electable’???
YOU have the power to change the course of where we’re headed - exercise it!
Oh, come on. I suppose he’s riding around in a black helicopter too, and visiting secret Russian bases in Nebraska.
Fred Thompson’s Anti-Gun Senate Record
The Conservatives Against Fred Thompson volunteers have compiled a list of proposals supported by Fred Dalton Thompson in the senate that include Gun Bans, confiscations and limitations to the free speech of Gun Rights Advocates. Dates and bill numbers are provided so this information can be easily verified. Summary:
1. Anti-gun terror bill (S. 735 )
On June 7, 1995, the Senate passed an anti-gun terror bill (S. 735) by a vote of 91-8. This version of the terror bill included: a BATF pay increase of $100 million; a provision authorizing “roving wiretaps” allowing government officials to wiretap one’s home if a person under investigation visits the home — even if one had no knowledge the person was a suspect; a weakening of the Posse Commitatus law to give the military more authority to get involved in law enforcement in certain circumstances; a grant of power to the FBI to conduct “fishing expeditions” and secure one’s financial and travel records in certain circumstances without any evidence one has committed a crime; and finally, the “Randy Weaver entrapment provision” which extends the statute of limitations for violations under the National Firearms Act of 1934 from three to five years. Thompson voted in favor of the bill.
2. Anti-gun terror bill — final passage
On April 17, 1996, the Senate passed the conference version of the anti-terrorism bill by a vote of 91-8. The final version of the bill (S. 735) contained several problems, including ones that will: order an “anti-hunter” rifle and ammo study; authorize a $40 million pay increase for the BATF (through the Treasury Department); potentially punish gun dealers (and individuals) for selling ammunition to someone they should have known would commit a violent crime; federalize many state crimes, thus tremendously increasing the scope and jurisdiction of the BATF; restrict the right of habeas corpus in such a way as to severely damage the ability of the courts to rescue honest gun owners who are unjustly incarcerated; allow the government to use “secret evidence” against certain individuals; remove protections against wiretapping wireless data; and require banks to freeze the assets of domestic groups in certain situations. Thompson once again voted in favor of the bill.
3. Taggants in gunpowder
On September 12, 1996, the Senate voted (57-42) to keep an anti-gun amendment off of the Treasury-Postal appropriations bill (H.R. 3756). The Kerry amendment — which Thompson voted for– would have made funds available for a study of tagging explosive materials, including black and smokeless powders (thus setting the stage for registering ammunition). The amendment also sought to further demonize firearms by selectively examining the misuse of firearms by criminals. The study would not examine the number of times firearms are used to save the lives of decent citizens.
4. Lautenberg Domestic Confiscation gun ban
On September 12, 1996, the Senate passed the Lautenberg gun ban as an amendment to the Treasury-Postal appropriations bill (H.R. 3756). The Lautenberg Domestic Confiscation Gun Ban disarms gun owners for small (misdemeanor) offenses in the home — “offenses” as slight as spanking a child or grabbing a spouse. This lifetime ban, in certain cases, can even be imposed without a trial by jury. It is also retroactive, so it does not matter if the offense occurred 20 years ago. Thompson voted in favor of the amendment.
5. Free Speech restrictions
On October 7, 1997, the Senate defeated an “Incumbent Protection Bill” (S. 25) which would have resulted in the government regulation of GOA’s newsletters and other communications with its members, while expanding the relative political power of the liberal media and other anti-gun forces. Senators failed in their effort, 53 to 47, to shut down a filibuster of the bill that was ostensibly aimed at reforming campaign finance laws.
6. Smith “Anti-Brady” Amendment
On July 21, 1998, pro-gun Senator Bob Smith (R-NH) introduced an “Anti-Brady” amendment that passed by a vote of 69-31. The Smith amendment would prohibit the FBI from using Brady background checks to tax or register gun owners. Further, the amendment requires the “immediate destruction of all [gun buyer] information, in any form whatsoever.” Finally, if the FBI disregards this latter provision, the Smith language will allow private citizens to sue the agency and collect monetary damages, including attorney’s fees. Thompson, in keeping with his tendency to usually vote for expanded federal police power, voted against this limitation of FBI registration of gun owners.
7. Anti-gun Clinton judge appointment
On February 11, 1998, the Senate voted 67-28 to confirm Margaret Morrow to the Federal bench. GOA vigorously opposed this Clinton-appointed judge, as she has not only taken strident anti-gun positions, she has showed herself to be a gun control activist.
8. Anti-gun Surgeon General
Having nominated anti-gun David Satcher for Surgeon General, President Bill Clinton was forced to wait several months as debate raged over his controversial pick. But on February 10, 1998, the President finally realized victory. By a vote of 75-23, anti-gun Republicans teamed up with the Democrats to kill the filibuster over the Satcher nomination. Mr. Satcher was later confirmed by a vote of 63-35. Since the key vote was to end the filibuster, that is the one that was rated by GOA.
9. Ending the filibuster of a major anti-gun crime bill
On July 28, 1999, the Senate ended a filibuster led by Senator Bob Smith (I-NH) — a filibuster intended to keep anti-gun crime legislation from progressing any further. After the 77-22 vote, the Senate moved to send the language of the anti-gun Senate crime bill (S. 254) to a House-Senate conference committee. Thompson voted to break the pro-gun filibuster.
10. Young adult gun ban
The young adult gun ban could severely punish parents who allow their kids to even touch a so-called semi-automatic “assault weapon.” While the amendment allows for certain exemptions, there are some imponderable questions which NO senator could answer, but which a parent would have to answer in order to avoid incarceration. For example: What is a “semiautomatic assault weapon”? The definition, plus exemptions, takes up six pages of fine print in the U.S. Code. Second, a child can handle a banned semi-auto if he is in the “immediate and supervisory presence” of a parent or if he possess a written permission slip from the parent. But what happens when, during a target practice session, the parent walks to the car to retrieve his lunch and the juvenile is no longer in the parents “immediate” presence and does not have a permission slip? A parent can receive jail time for this infraction. The provision passed the Senate on May 13, 1999, with Thompson voting in the majority.
11. Adopting the “Gun Control Lite” strategy
On May 13, 1999, a majority of Senators — including Thompson — defeated a motion to table (or kill) an anti-gun amendment introduced by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Larry Craig (R-WY). This amendment was offered as an alternative to gun control proposals being pushed by Sen. Frank Lautenberg.
12. McCain’s Incumbent Protection (2000 version)
By 59 to 41, the Senate passed S. 27, to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act to include Incumbent Protection provisions. The bill severely curtails the ability of outside groups such as GOA to communicate the actions of incumbent politicians to members and supporters prior to an election.
13. Incumbent Protection (2002 failed filibuster)
This was the key vote in the Senate regarding the odious Incumbent Protection bill in 2002 (H.R. 2356). The legislation finally became law that year. As he had on previous occasions, Thompson voted in favor of the bill.
Why throw your vote away to Fred Thompson when he has a flip flopping gun record when you can vote for someone that has a perfect gun voting record. RON PAUL always votes on the side of our RIGHTS and FREEDOMS. (This is what our military is suppose to be fighting to protect, unfortunately right now they are learning how to confiscate guns and are working with foreign militaries that lack even the most basic human rights).
Furthermore it’s not just about rights and freedoms, our country is becoming bankrupt due to the excessive federal spending. Every single candidate running for president outside of Ron Paul is for huge federal spending. Our dollar’s value on the world market is dropping like a rock. All the republicans with the exception of Ron Paul want to continue the war on Iraq and most want to expand it with a war on Iran. We are talking trillions of dollars worth of spending fighting other people’s wars! All of the wounded soldiers are going to need to be supported and the costs are going to be enormous. Meanwhile both the Republicans and the Democrats have done nothing on border security which is the real terrorist threat. Bush has wasted more tax payer dollars then even Clinton and all the other republicans want to continue his wasteful spending on a war that is going no where. The democrats, even if they do pull out will still spend just as much if not more then Bush. Ron Paul is the only candidate that wants to make serious cuts to federal spending. By getting rid of Federal waste, local governments can get more money and it will be better spent then if the feds get their hands on it. At least your money will stay closer to your community and not sent overseas.
Right now due to the trade deficit China now has trillions of dollars that they are using to buy up our companies! This didn’t happen overnight the people in power do not have our best interests in mind. They are selling us out like Judas. All these trade agreements they get us tangled up in are for the benefit of a few and not for most Americans. Ron Paul wants to give us trade that benefits the American people’s interests not some global CEO.
Ron Paul has a lot of other good ideas that I don’t have time to go into but I encourage you all to look into him before chasing after whoever the corporate media is pushing on us. He has won more straw polls then the other candidates. If you check the after debate polls on CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS etc… Ron Paul has won by a landslide. Why haven’t you heard about this – because the corporate media is owned by the very people destroying this country. They don’t control polls but they do control what they talk about on TV and if you don’t believe this just go back to sleep and keep believing that you’re free when you’re not. If you don’t believe me go read the declaration of independence and see in horror just how enslaved you really are.
Free people are not one pay check away from loosing everything! The federal reserve system has taken a currency that was worth something before they existed and then turned it into something that is worth 2% of what it use to be worth! (and the value is still dropping to 0%) This is called theft and this is the reason why most of you don’t really own anything and have to go to the bank for loans. Ron Paul wants to end the theft! Join a RonPaul Meetup group and you will see that he has a lot more support then all the other candidates put together!
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/about/
I really admire Ron Paul. He’s a great American and probably the finest Constitutional thinker in American politics today. He also does not have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the Republican nomination, much less the general election. I prefer to support people who have some chance of winning and keeping Hillary-Barak-Edwards and company out of the White House.
With the mindset of the previous poster, what the hell’s the purpose of voting?? This isn’t a football game, it’s your country’s future. Voting for the ‘evil lesser’ has gotten us in the craphole we’re now in.
Ron Paul DOES have a snowball’s chance in hell. On the internet, Ron HAS won in all 4 debates to date. Most of those people actively vote. If wishers would get off their duff & get active, amazing things can happen… there’s still time to do much educating.
Go to the Ron Paul Meetup website to find a grassroots group near you! http://ronpaul.meetup.com/
Unlike Ron Paul, Fred actually has a horrible record of voting for stricter gun control laws, of course so does Rudy and Romney.
[…] Fred Thompson on Gun Control from Front Sight, Press […]
Ron Paul openly posed a question at the debates proving the 2nd Amendment would have provided real security during the 9/11 attacks and his staunch adherence to the Constitution is more than satisfying for a thirsty soul however, his view of calling everyone home, rolling up the welcome mat and offering legalized narcotics to whichever states are debased enough to offer them is just beyond belief and in my mind instantly disqualifies him….Understanding how the man can be solidly Constitutional and yet not be able to recognize other critical foundations in morality and world involvement, I must leave to someone on a drinking binge in reflection of the lint in his navel to figure out because I wouldn’t know where to begin.
On the other hand, Fred not only has shown his willingness to appreciate when his support for legislation has failed, he has also offered possible remedies…McCain - Feingold for one. He also listens to us rather than polling advice from his advisers or attempting to dictate to the little people inwhich every frontrunner and some of the lower tier have gone out of their way to demonstrate to us of exactly what we can expect… No, no folks, for me this is a slam-dunk for Fred Dalton Thompson - 44th President of The United States of America.
Gun Rights Advocate Podcast on Fred Thompson
http://gunrights.us/
Fred Thompson Report Archives:
http://abcradionetworks.com/Blog.asp?id=15663&m=7&y=2007
Fredipedia:
http://www.fredthompsonfaq.com/tiki-index.php?page=Fredipedia