Donald Trump releases position paper on 2nd Amendment Rights - Polidicks

[quote]Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump on Friday released a policy paper on gun policies that endorses a nationwide right to carry a concealed weapon and a reformed background check system. Trump also outlines his opposition to gun and magazine bans, and he rejects the growing consensus around criminal justice reforms. "The Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental right that belongs to all law-abiding Americans," the policy paper says in its introduction. "The Constitution doesn't create that right - it ensures that the government can't take it away." Trump heartily endorses concealed carry permits -- noting that he has one -- and declares that the state-issued permits "should be valid in all 50 states." "The right of self-defense doesn't stop at the end of your driveway," Trump's policy paper says. "A driver's license works in every state, so it's common sense that a concealed carry permit should work in every state. If we can do that for driving - which is a privilege, not a right - then surely we can do that for concealed carry, which is a right, not a privilege." Currently, all states allow individuals to carry concealed weapons, though they're subject to different rules. In 2012, as many as 40 states recognized concealed carry permits from other states, according to the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office. Conservatives in Congress like Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, have called for a national law that would make all states honor permits from other states. Trump also rejects bans of specific types of guns or magazines, calling past bans a "total failure." "Opponents of gun rights try to come up with scary sounding phrases like 'assault weapons', 'military-style weapons' and 'high capacity magazines' to confuse people," the policy paper says. "What they're really talking about are popular semi-automatic rifles and standard magazines that are owned by tens of millions of Americans." Democrats in Congress in recent years have tried and failed to renew the assault weapons ban or pass bans on high-capacity magazine clips. Trump also lays out his opposition to rules that prohibit military personnel from carrying firearms on bases or at recruiting centers. [/quote] [URL="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-releases-position-paper-on-gun-policies/"]CBS News[/URL] And straight from his website: [quote] PROTECTING OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN [I]Donald J. Trump on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms[/I] The Second Amendment to our Constitution is clear. The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed upon. Period. The Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental right that belongs to all law-abiding Americans. The Constitution doesn’t create that right – it ensures that the government can’t take it away. Our Founding Fathers knew, and our Supreme Court has upheld, that the Second Amendment’s purpose is to guarantee our right to defend ourselves and our families. This is about self-defense, plain and simple. It’s been said that the Second Amendment is America’s first freedom. That’s because the Right to Keep and Bear Arms protects all our other rights. We are the only country in the world that has a Second Amendment. Protecting that freedom is imperative. Here’s how we will do that: [B][I] Enforce The Laws On The Books[/I][/B] We need to get serious about prosecuting violent criminals. The Obama administration’s record on that is abysmal. Violent crime in cities like Baltimore, Chicago and many others is out of control. Drug dealers and gang members are given a slap on the wrist and turned loose on the street. This needs to stop. Several years ago there was a tremendous program in Richmond, Virginia called Project Exile. It said that if a violent felon uses a gun to commit a crime, you will be prosecuted in federal court and go to prison for five years – no parole or early release. Obama’s former Attorney General, Eric Holder, called that a “cookie cutter” program. That’s ridiculous. I call that program a success. Murders committed with guns in Richmond decreased by over 60% when Project Exile was in place – in the first two years of the program alone, 350 armed felons were taken off the street. Why does that matter to law-abiding gun owners? Because they’re the ones who anti-gun politicians and the media blame when criminals misuse guns. We need to bring back and expand programs like Project Exile and get gang members and drug dealers off the street. When we do, crime will go down and our cities and communities will be safer places to live. Here’s another important way to fight crime – empower law-abiding gun owners to defend themselves. Law enforcement is great, they do a tremendous job, but they can’t be everywhere all of the time. Our personal protection is ultimately up to us. That’s why I’m a gun owner, that’s why I have a concealed carry permit, and that’s why tens of millions of Americans have concealed carry permits as well. It’s just common sense. To make America great again, we’re going to go after criminals and put the law back on the side of the law-abiding. [B][I] Fix Our Broken Mental Health System[/I][/B] Let’s be clear about this. Our mental health system is broken. It needs to be fixed. Too many politicians have ignored this problem for too long. All of the tragic mass murders that occurred in the past several years have something in common – there were red flags that were ignored. We can’t allow that to continue. We need to expand treatment programs, because most people with mental health problems aren’t violent, they just need help. But for those who are violent, a danger to themselves or others, we need to get them off the street before they can terrorize our communities. This is just common sense. And why does this matter to law-abiding gun owners? Once again, because they get blamed by anti-gun politicians, gun control groups and the media for the acts of deranged madmen. When one of these tragedies occurs, we can count on two things: one, that opponents of gun rights will immediately exploit it to push their political agenda; and two, that none of their so-called “solutions” would have prevented the tragedy in the first place. They’ve even admitted it. We need real solutions to address real problems. Not grandstanding or political agendas. [B][I] Defend The Rights of Law-Abiding Gun Owners[/I][/B] [B] GUN AND MAGAZINE BANS.[/B] Gun and magazine bans are a total failure. That’s been proven every time it’s been tried. Opponents of gun rights try to come up with scary sounding phrases like “assault weapons”, “military-style weapons” and “high capacity magazines” to confuse people. What they’re really talking about are popular semi-automatic rifles and standard magazines that are owned by tens of millions of Americans. Law-abiding people should be allowed to own the firearm of their choice. The government has no business dictating what types of firearms good, honest people are allowed to own. [B] BACKGROUND CHECKS. [/B]There has been a national background check system in place since 1998. Every time a person buys a gun from a federally licensed gun dealer – which is the overwhelming majority of all gun purchases – they go through a federal background check. Study after study has shown that very few criminals are stupid enough to try and pass a background check – they get their guns from friends/family members or by stealing them. So the overwhelming majority of people who go through background checks are law-abiding gun owners. When the system was created, gun owners were promised that it would be instant, accurate and fair. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case today. Too many states are failing to put criminal and mental health records into the system – and it should go without saying that a system’s only going to be as effective as the records that are put into it. What we need to do is fix the system we have and make it work as intended. What we don’t need to do is expand a broken system. [B] NATIONAL RIGHT TO CARRY.[/B] The right of self-defense doesn’t stop at the end of your driveway. That’s why I have a concealed carry permit and why tens of millions of Americans do too. That permit should be valid in all 50 states. A driver’s license works in every state, so it’s common sense that a concealed carry permit should work in every state. If we can do that for driving – which is a privilege, not a right – then surely we can do that for concealed carry, which is a right, not a privilege. [B] MILITARY BASES AND RECRUITING CENTERS. [/B]Banning our military from carrying firearms on bases and at recruiting centers is ridiculous. We train our military how to safely and responsibly use firearms, but our current policies leave them defenseless. To make America great again, we need a strong military. To have a strong military, we need to allow them to defend themselves.[/quote] [URL="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/second-amendment-rights"]Donald Trump Positions - Gun Rights[/URL] Well would you look at that, probably the most sane propositions regarding gun ownership by any US Politician. Bernie Sanders may want to get rid of his AWB support soon because if he doesn't it's only going to attract more people to Donald Trump.

[quote]Several years ago there was a tremendous program in Richmond, Virginia called Project Exile. It said that if a violent felon uses a gun to commit a crime, you will be prosecuted in federal court and go to prison for five years – no parole or early release. Obama’s former Attorney General, Eric Holder, called that a “cookie cutter” program. That’s ridiculous. I call that program a success. Murders committed with guns in Richmond decreased by over 60% when Project Exile was in place – in the first two years of the program alone, 350 armed felons were taken off the street. [/quote] I agree with the majority of his points, however the above I do not. Mandatory minimum sentences are terrible, regardless of context, because they remove the legal system's ability to judge on a case by case basis and make decisions based on the nuances of each case, rather than being forced to apply a minimum sentence because of some law.

"i will say literally anything to get you to vote for me"

I personally believe that if you are commiting a crime with a weapon, with said weapon used as a tool of intimidation it should definitely add to your punishment. Granted if the weapon is on your body when you are doing something like a house breakin, it should also count against you. But if it's something like... Oh I was smoking pot and I had a gun on me. That's pretty shotty. Context is needed, but I believe it's a good idea to reintroduce Project Exile across the country. Also another thing which caught my interest was the mention of how the only people with mental illnesses that need to be dealt with are realistically the unstable and violent rather then the cleansweeping regulations that goes against anyone under a certain alignment. IIRC, some of the current nominees actually called for expanded background checks that disallow those with PTSD from owning firearms.

Now if only any of his other positions weren't completely idiotic, maybe he would be worth voting for.

National carry permits would be nice, but with that they should at least have a required firearms safety course on concealed carrying.

[QUOTE=DaMastez;48714719]I agree with the majority of his points, however the above I do not. Mandatory minimum sentences are terrible, regardless of context, because they remove the legal system's ability to judge on a case by case basis and make decisions based on the nuances of each case, rather than being forced to apply a minimum sentence because of some law.[/QUOTE] I would consider it more of a "drastic cases call for drastic measures" role. Regardless, no matter how outrageous he can be, he is one of the more moderate republicans. Ben Carson is a good example of a quiet voice that is easy to listen to, but the message is unarguably worse than Trumps. That being said, this is no 1980s Reagan or 50s Eisenhower, those days flew by, but it's no Ben Carson of Rick Santorum.

The only thing I care about is gun policy. Trump has my vote.

[QUOTE=CodeMonkey3;48714773]The only thing I care about is gun policy. Trump has my vote.[/QUOTE] Jesus, this is a joke right?

[QUOTE=CodeMonkey3;48714773]The only thing I care about is gun policy. Trump has my vote.[/QUOTE] he says that vaccines cause autism

[QUOTE=CodeMonkey3;48714773]The only thing I care about is gun policy. Trump has my vote.[/QUOTE] Ehehexcuse me what

Damn it. Why does there have to be this sane bit within a pile of absolute crazy?

Gun laws are something that effect mostly white-middle aged males, AKA PEOPLE WHO VOTE. It's no wonder this is politically "a big deal". If young people in this country actually voted, politicians wouldn't be able to pander to one specific demographic and win.

[QUOTE=JakeIsWin;48714890]Gun laws are something that effect mostly white-middle aged males, AKA PEOPLE WHO VOTE. It's no wonder this is politically "a big deal". If young people in this country actually voted, politicians wouldn't be able to pander to one specific demographic and win.[/QUOTE] I'm 23 and vote. What are you doing?

[QUOTE=CodeMonkey3;48714773]The only thing I care about is gun policy. Trump has my vote.[/QUOTE] This is how you don't make an informed decision when it comes to voting for the next president. Unless you're joking.

[QUOTE=NoobieWafer223;48714915]I'm 23 and vote. What are you doing?[/QUOTE] Anecdotes don't change statistics. What are you doing?

[QUOTE=Judas;48714734]"i will say literally anything to get you to vote for me"[/QUOTE] To be fair this is a well thought out release and not unlikely his views before joining the race. Hardly a Hilary Clinton maneuver here.

[QUOTE=CodeMonkey3;48714773]The only thing I care about is gun policy. Trump has my vote.[/QUOTE] would really love to hear you defend this

[QUOTE=sgman91;48714957]Anecdotes don't change statistics. What are you doing?[/QUOTE] Hoping everyone gets out and votes, including you.

[QUOTE=Elspin;48714790]Jesus, this is a joke right?[/QUOTE] The sad thing is it's the least dumb reason to support Trump I've seen so far.

[quote] MILITARY BASES AND RECRUITING CENTERS. Banning our military from carrying firearms on bases and at recruiting centers is ridiculous. We train our military how to safely and responsibly use firearms, but our current policies leave them defenseless. To make America great again, we need a strong military. To have a strong military, we need to allow them to defend themselves.[/quote] pandering to the panderers, but the military doesn't want soldiers on base or by extension, their recruitment centers to have guns, there is no civilian law or policy preventing them from arming their recruiters, this is 100% a voluntary policy on the military's part, leave them alone, let the military decide exactly how armed they want their soldiers on base to be

[QUOTE=Judas;48714734]"i will say literally anything to get you to vote for me"[/QUOTE] You realize that's how it is with EVERY nominee right?

[QUOTE=Ajacks;48714741]National carry permits would be nice, but with that they should at least have a required firearms safety course on concealed carrying.[/QUOTE] That should be required for owning a gun in general. I'm 100% for people being able to own whatever gun they want to, but I'm 100% [i]against[/i] them doing so without knowing how to safely handle one. It's like cars. Any random person can legally own a car, but to operate it on public roads they must be certified competent to do so. To buy a gun, one should be certified competent in the safe handling and operation of a gun. They are dangerous machines, much like cars, and reckless/careless/clueless handling of them kills...again, much like cars. The right to own a gun comes with the responsibility of handling it safely. You should have to present a valid certificate proving you've taken classes and know/follow the rules of gun safety to buy one, but if you can do that and pass a BG check? Here's your milsurp MG42, sir!

[QUOTE=TestECull;48715341]That should be required for owning a gun in general. I'm 100% for people being able to own whatever gun they want to, but I'm 100% [i]against[/i] them doing so without knowing how to safely handle one. It's like cars. Any random person can legally own a car, but to operate it on public roads they must be certified competent to do so. To buy a gun, one should be certified competent in the safe handling and operation of a gun. They are dangerous machines, much like cars, and reckless/careless/clueless handling of them kills...again, much like cars. The right to own a gun comes with the responsibility of handling it safely. You should have to present a valid certificate proving you've taken classes and know/follow the rules of gun safety to buy one, but if you can do that and pass a BG check? Here's your milsurp MG42, sir![/QUOTE] Yeah well America has shot itself in the foot because bearing arms is a right not a privilege, unlike driving a car. To require having a certificate violates that right.

[QUOTE=Rocko's;48714917]This is how you don't make an informed decision when it comes to voting for the next president. Unless you're joking.[/QUOTE] Aren't like 30% of Americans thinking the same way though?

[QUOTE=Rangergxi;48715424]Aren't like 30% of Americans thinking the same way though?[/QUOTE] More than half of Americans don't even think that the U.S. should have action on gun violence.

[QUOTE=Kommodore;48715095]would really love to hear you defend this[/QUOTE] I'll give credit where it's due, this is the only thing he knows his shit about. It's very tiring to hear most politicians unaware of the existing firearm regulations while theorizing about impractical or difficult-to-implement solutions. He's also looking forward to expanding background checks to include mental history and criminal background. You can't argue against that.

[QUOTE=Judas;48714734]"i will say literally anything to get you to vote for me"[/QUOTE] Just look at him, shamelessly advancing Republican policies in his quest to secure the Republican Party nomination.

[QUOTE=CoolKingKaso;48715486]I'll give credit where it's due, this is the only thing he knows his shit about. It's very tiring to hear most politicians unaware of the existing firearm regulations while theorizing about impractical or difficult-to-implement solutions. He's also looking forward to expanding background checks to include mental history and criminal background. You can't argue against that.[/QUOTE] While on paper that's good, in practice unless it's all in an omnibill, then the republicans will stop after deregulation and mandatory federal ccw laws, they have made their position on healthcare policy glaringly obvious in that they want a total free market, die-in-hole system that we had before ACA

[QUOTE=richard9311;48714883]Damn it. Why does there have to be this sane bit within a pile of absolute crazy?[/QUOTE] Tell me about it, this is twice in one day for me. I watched the excerpt from the debate where he was dogging on Jeb Bush, and though he was his typical asshole self, he actually made valid points about Iraq and how Bush failed to keep America safe in more ways than one.