The political and social debate over how much gun control is appropriate within society has been an extremely polarized one for several decades (1). In recent years, the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and other subsequent school shootings have pushed the gun control debate further into the public eye, as well as prompting law makers across the country to take the issue seriously and deliver policy solutions. Although not an entirely partisan issue, public opinion polls as well as voting histories, indicate that the Democratic Party support gun control legislation, while the Republican party are to a greater degree, in favour of opposing gun control laws (1).
The Democratic Party believes that the individual right to bear arms is important and that it will preserve Americans’ Second Amendment right to own and use firearms. But at the same time, believes that firearms should be subject to reasonable regulation, which include, strengthening the background check system, reinstating assault weapons bans and closing gun show loopholes (2). The party understands the terrible consequences of gun violence and is determined to ensure that through increased regulation; guns do not fall into the hands of those irresponsible, law-breaking few.
The Republican Party on the contrary, believes in the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, as it is a law-abiding citizens’ God-given right of self-defence. The party call for the protection of such fundamental individual rights, as recognized in the Supreme Court’s decisions in District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago affirming that right (3). Furthermore, the party hold the position that individuals have a right to obtain and store ammunition without registration and support the right to self-defence and federal legislation that would expand the exercise of that right by allowing state-issued carry permits to carry firearms in any state that issues such permits (3). The party condemn lawsuits against gun manufacturers and oppose federal licensing or registration of law-abiding gun owners, as well as the limiting of magazine and clip capacity. Across the board, the Republican Party holds strongly the position that gun ownership is a fundamental right and that law-abiding citizens should have all their rights protected at all costs.

Across the United States, the view towards gun control is divided with particular states enforcing much stricter regulations compared to others. For instance, Gun control is very popular within traditionally democratic states, such as Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Maryland (4), which have enacted a vast array of legislation which requires citizens to have a permit when carrying particular types of firearms, particularly handguns. California stands as another state which has enforced strict gun regulation, where all firearms sales and transfers must go through a California licensed firearms dealer. Furthermore, states such as California and New York do not have state constitutional provisions in regard to gun rights, therefore leaving gun owners in the hands of the state without constitutional protection, besides that of the second amendment.
Besides from the north-east and California, most other parts of the country have rather minimal controls on guns. The south and mid-west very much support right to carry laws and the right to self-defence (5). Forty-four states have constitutional provisions protecting the right to keep and bear arms (5). Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming, stand as the only states which do not require registration and permits on any firearm. The mid-west and south are dominated by large amounts of rural areas and Gallup poll showed that rural Americans- roughly one-sixth of the population- are more than twice as likely to have a gun in the home than those living in large cities (6). This figure is rather reflective of a numerous number of states which are predominately rural and their views towards limited gun control. The quote, ‘In parts of the country, shooting and hunting aren’t ways of life. They are life’ (6) rather affirms the stance portrayed by numerous pro-gun states.
The Republican Party, for this particular paper, should be divided between the moderate and conservative factions of the party. The moderate members of the party, which include senator Collins (MA) and senator Kirk (IL), tend to take a more supportive position of gun control, in the areas of expanding background checks and restricting the use of high-capacity magazines(7). These particular members are small in number, but are generally more supportive of gun-control measures across the board. The conservative members of the party, which include Senator Paul (KY) and Senator Cruz (TX), very much believe strongly in defending the second amendment and voting against any proposed legislation that restricts the right to bear arms, including legislation that calls for restrictions on high-capacity magazines and greater background checks (7).
The Democratic Party, for this particular party, should be divided between the progressive and conservative factions of the party. The progressive members of the party, which include congresswoman Lee (CA) and senator Brown (OH), typically support gun-control and have voted in the past to bring about stronger background checks and the closing of gun show loopholes(8). Members of this faction strongly favour government intervention on the issue of guns and believe that stronger regulation is needed as to ensure the population is safe. The conservative members of the party, which include congressman Cuellar (TX) and senator Landrieu (LA), tend to come from southern states and tend to be more conservative on fiscal and social issues. For instance, senator Landrieu voted against banning high-capacity magazines and supported allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains (9). The positions held by conservative democrats are very much similar to those on the Republican side.

the views of various state Democratic and Republican parties on the issue

The Massachusetts Democratic Party supports the prevention of gun violence through universal background checks, banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines (10). This particular view, highlighted through the party platform is very much consistent of a democratic stronghold in the north-east of the country. The Massachusetts Republicans on the other hand, strongly support and pledge to uphold the right to own and use firearms in accordance with the second amendment and Article seventeen of the constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (11).

The Texas Democratic Party supports the prevention of gun violence by strengthening the national Brady background check system to incorporate all necessary records including criminal, domestic violence, mental health, and terror watchlists (12). Furthermore, the party aims to fund a bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms so that it can inspect Federal Firearms Licensed Dealers to prevent unlawful sales and remove restrictions on law enforcement to access important gun trace information that could solve serious crimes (12). The party supports manufacturers who voluntarily develop and sell childproof handguns and wish to see gun laws curtail the availability of automatic weapons and extended magazines (12). The Texas Republicans strongly support the right to bear arms, and believe that, that right should not be infringed. The platform stands opposed to the monitoring of gun ownership, and the taxation and regulation of guns and ammunition. The party supports pro-carry legislation and wishes that the state pass legislation easing current restrictions(13).

The Nevada Democratic party has a very unclear position on gun control, which is not specifically addressed within their 2012 party platform. The party does believe the rights of individuals as enumerated in the Constitution and Bill of Rights must be protected and respected(14), but that is the only link that can be made. Based on their party platform, one could assert that the party does not support high levels of gun control. The Nevada Republican party, strongly support the second amendment without infringement. The party subsequently support reciprocity laws with all states to carry concealed weapons across state lines(15).

Across the board, the Democratic Party platforms are very much consistent with the national party platform, with the exception of Nevada, which can be seen to be more supportive of guns compared to the other blue states. The Republican Party state platforms are very similar to the national platform, and are very much determined to protect the second amendment for the good of all law-abiding citizens.

the electoral and political implications of the issue for each party

While the issue of gun control remains divisive, there are clear areas of agreement when it comes to a number of gun policy proposals. 85% of Americans favour making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks, with comparable support from Republicans, Democrats and Independents (16). Two thirds of Americans favour creating a federal database to track gun sales, but there is a wide partisan divide between Democrats (84%) and Republicans (49%) (16). In May 2013, 50% of American adults believed it more important to control gun ownership, while 48% believed it important to protect the right of Americans to own guns (17). These numbers suggest that the American people are rather conflicted as to the issue, and both political parties have a clear case to argue in either supporting greater gun control or less. The Democratic Party across state and national platforms has been supportive of tighter regulation on gun ownership, but not against the right to own a gun itself. This view serves to not alienate all gun owners, but give the greater community who don’t own guns assurance that violence can be reduced through strong regulation. The Republican Party’s views across a national and state level, reflects the particular constituencies views on upholding the constitution. The Republican base is very much concentrated around parts of the country, where guns have always been a major talking point and so the platform is very much reflective of those communities, from more rural areas.