Hillary Clinton on Wednesday tried to reassure skeptical gun owners that she’s not interested in rolling back Second Amendment rights or hatching a scheme to take Americans’ firearms.
Speaking just outside Denver, Colorado, Mrs. Clinton again said she’ll make gun control legislation a top priority of her administration, vowing to fight the “gun lobby” and enact stricter rules, such as expanded background checks.
But in fighting for votes across rural America, where gun rights remain a key issue, the former first lady also must tread carefully. The National Rifle Association already has endorsed her opponent, Republican Donald Trump, and many gun rights advocates fear Mrs. Clinton is intent on rolling back Americans’ ability to bear arms.
She sought to put those concerns to rest Wednesday.
“I do not want to repeal the Second Amendment. I do not want to take anyone’s gun away,” she said. “I just don’t want you to get shot by someone who shouldn’t have a gun in the first place.”
But Mrs. Clinton’s current gun control platform, and some of her past positions, go beyond simply keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous people.
On the heels of the Orlando night club shooting earlier this summer, she reiterated her call for a new national ban on assault weapons.
And during her 2000 Senate run, the former first lady supported a national registry for all handgun owners.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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