Where do NC Senate candidates stand on gun control? We asked them. 

Two leading Democrats and one Republican candidate for U.S. Senate gave varying perspectives on gun control issues when answering questions from The Charlotte Observer, including on whether to ban the sale of high-capacity magazines.

Two Republicans, former Gov. Pat McCrory and U.S. Rep. Ted Budd, did not respond to the survey, though their political records give insight into their ideologies.

Keeping or expanding control of Congress will be an uphill battle for Democrats, said Michael Bitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College. If they win that battle during the 2022 midterm elections, though, it could be an opportunity to make some gun control policies a reality.

Democrats Cheri Beasley and Jeff Jackson both responded to the survey. Republican Mark Walker also answered the survey in its entirety. As for Budd and McCrory, their political records indicate at least slightly different opinions on guns.

Budd’s voting history indicates he is staunchly against gun control policies, including universal background checks.

McCrory secured an endorsement by the National Rifle Association in 2016. He did, though, as governor, oppose an effort in 2015 to eliminate county-by-county background checks for the sale of handguns. He later signed a bipartisan version of that bill, which also won him praise from the NRA.

A poll released by Quinnipiac University on Friday showed that 49% of Americans oppose stricter gun laws, while 45% support them. That support has declined significantly since 2018, when 66% of respondents told Quinnipiac they supported stricter gun laws.

When asked about specific gun control rules, Americans are more likely to support those ideas. In 2018, Quinnipiac pollsters found that universal background checks are overwhelmingly popular, with 97% support. Additionally, 67% supported a ban on the sale of assault weapons, and 75% said Congress needs to “do more” to reduce gun violence.

Despite broad support for some gun control measures like universal background checks, it is unclear if Democrats would pursue those reforms even if they win big in 2022. Bitzer said the party will likely be focused on the economy in the final two years of Biden’s first term.

But political priorities can change quickly, especially after national tragedies like mass shootings.

If the debate comes up, here’s what to expect from Jackson, Beasley and Walker. Some of the answers have been edited for length and clarity.

The questions

The Observer sent one open-ended question and five yes-or-no questions to each candidate.

First, we asked whether the candidates believe Congress should do more to address gun violence, and if so, what would be their primary strategy.

We also asked the following yes-or-no questions:

Should the United States ...

▪ Have universal background checks?

▪ Ban assault rifles and guns of a similar design?

▪ Ban handguns?

▪ Ban “bump stocks?”

▪ Ban firearms typically used for hunting?

For follow-up questions, we asked the following:

▪ If you answered a version of ‘yes’ to any of the yes-or-no questions, explain whether you support banning production or possession of these firearms or accessories, or both. If you support banning possession, please explain how you would collect the firearms/accessories from people who currently own them legally.

▪ And, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission receives a significant amount of funding — $18.8 million for fiscal year 2021 — from the federal government sourced from the sale of firearms, handguns, archery equipment and ammunition.

The agency uses this funding to support wildlife research and management projects. If you answered any of the questions above in a way that would limit the sale of firearms or ammunition, explain whether (and how) you would make sure that our state wildlife agencies do not see a decline in funding because of the decline of firearms or ammunition sales.

What’s your primary strategy to reduce gun violence?

▪ Walker: Congress must be doing more to reduce gun violence that is rampant in our cities, and now spilling into the suburbs and exurbs. We must first support our law enforcement officers who are on the front lines to curbing rising gun violence. The answer to lessening violent crime is NOT by defunding or reducing funding for police. In addition to supporting our police, Congress must help with addiction treatments to end the perpetual cycle that we too often see with addicts. That starts with better treatment options and educating the public about addiction causes and solutions for those who need help. Also, finding better solutions and care for victims of mental health is a deterrent as well.

▪ Jackson: We’ve seen unacceptable, unconscionable acts of violence over and over again. And over and over again, our leaders fail to act. Not because of policy ignorance, but because of political fear of the NRA. If we want change, we have to change our leaders.

I served in Afghanistan. I was trained how to use weapons. When I talk to people across North Carolina, there’s strong support for standing up to the NRA and implementing commonsense reforms like universal background checks, red flag laws, and banning bump stocks. Those proposals have support from across the state and across the political spectrum — and they’d save lives. Giving the NRA a veto on these kinds of reforms is unacceptable, and we deserve a Senator who won’t let that happen.

▪ Beasley: I share in the heartbreak of communities across our state and nation for the lives forever altered and lost to gun violence.

I firmly believe that we must take action to stop gun violence. North Carolinians are clear in supporting gun safety measures. We must listen to them and to law enforcement and public safety and health experts who are telling us that we need to address gun safety at the federal level — and not the corporate gun lobby.

As a mother, I also know we must do more to stop the plague of mass shootings across our communities by keeping combat-style weapons and high-capacity magazines off our streets and away from our schools. And I agree with the majority of gun owners and an overwhelming majority of Americans that action is urgently needed to reduce gun violence.

Have universal background checks?

▪ Walker: Licensed gun dealers are required by law to do a background check. (While licensed gun dealers are required to do background checks, private sellers are not for long guns. Walker did not elaborate on whether to require background checks for private sellers.)

▪ Jackson: Yes

▪ Beasley: Yes

Ban assault rifles and guns of a similar design?

▪ Walker: No

▪ Jackson: Jackson said he would prefer to ban high-capacity magazines and bump stocks, rather than the rifles themselves. “The most important thing we can do in the interest of public safety is ban the high-capacity magazines that separate these weapons from hunting rifles. We’ve seen some gun manufacturers sidestep legal definitions of assault-style with small changes to designs or grips, and that’s why we have to specifically ban high-capacity magazines — along with bump stocks — which make these weapons more lethal.”

▪ Beasley: Beasley said the country should keep combat-style weapons “off our streets,” but did not say outright that she would prefer to ban the sale of these weapons.

Ban handguns?

▪ Walker: No

▪ Jackson: No

▪ Beasley: No

Ban ‘bump stocks?’

▪ Walker: No

▪ Jackson: Yes

▪ Beasley: Yes

Ban firearms typically used for hunting?

▪ Walker: No

▪ Jackson: No

▪ Beasley: No. “I come from a family that hunts — and I respect the Second Amendment and the rights of law-abiding gun owners.”

Follow up questions

▪ Jackson: “We should ban bump stocks and high-capacity magazines and create a voluntary buyback program to get them safely removed.” On wildlife resources funding: “We would ensure full funding for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission with new federal revenue streams if needed.”

▪ Beasley: Did not say how or if she would secure wildlife funding, and did not give details on whether she would ban the possession of certain firearms or accessories as opposed to their production.

This story was originally published November 23, 2021 at 11:41 AM.

Will Wright

The Charlotte Observer

Will Wright covers politics in Charlotte and North Carolina. He previously covered eastern Kentucky for the Lexington Herald-Leader, and worked as a reporting fellow at The New York Times.