PRESS RELEASES received during the April 26, 2007 South Carolina Debate:
-DODD:  Debate Fact Check: Richardson and Guns
 

Richardson: "I was for instant background checks."
 

Reality: Richardson Opposed Both The Brady Bill And The Assault Weapons Ban.

As a Member of Congress, he voted against the Brady Bill, calling it "very, very intrusive on people's lives in the West" despite the fact that fellow New Mexican, Sen. Jeff Bingaman, cosponsored a version of the Brady Bill. In addition, he opposed the assault weapons ban and even voted to repeal the ban once it was signed into law. In 1996, Richardson said that the 1994 crime bill "went too far in criminalizing these [assault] weapons." He added: "I have always opposed banning certain types of weapons, and this law [the assault weapons ban] must be repealed, because it criminalizes otherwise law-abiding citizens." Over the past month, it appears that he is in the midst of changing positions. Just this week, on MSNBC's Hardball, Richardson said "I do support stronger measures, background checks that detect criminal activity…" [CQ House Vote #564, HR 1025, 11/10/93; CQ House Vote #614, HR 1025, 11/23/93; House Vote #156, HR 4296, 5/5/94; S.414, 2/24/93; Congressional Record p. H2698, 3/22/96; CBS, "This Morning," 5/8/91; MSNBC, "Hardball," 4/23/07]

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