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Editor’s note: Billy Penn is analyzing the Pa. Governor’s Race candidates by looking at 10 pressing issues for Pennsylvania millennials. Our first pieces looked at their stances on marijuana, liquor, education, health care, rideshare and the environment. Up today: guns.
Gov. Tom Corbett (R):
Corbett’s been an advocate for strict interpretation of the 2nd amendment in the hunting-heavy Pennsylvania, and has urged against passing new gun control laws in favor of stronger enforcement of the statutes already in place.
Corbett is on record saying that he does not support a statewide ban on semi-automatic rifles, but did acknowledge that many of those conversations will occur on a national level. The Republican thinks the underlying cause of mass shootings has more to do with mental illness, and less to do with access to weapons. (However, Corbett also cut funding to the mentally ill during his first two years in office.)
The governor is also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and disagrees with 85 percent of Pennsylvanians on expanded background checks.
Challenger Tom Wolf (D):
Wolf’s stance on gun control stands largely along party lines. While he makes note on his website that he supports gun owners’ rights to bear arms and understands the state’s long history of safe gun ownership, he’s told gun control advocacy groups that he supports their measures.
CeaseFire PA, one of the state’s largest gun control advocacy groups, drew up a 20-page report on where the gubernatorial candidates stand on their issues. Wolf said he supports expanded background checks, “while preserving the rights of law abiding gun owners.” Nice pol talk, Tom.
However, the Democrat hardly took a stance on issues like requiring gun dealers to report inventory to local law enforcement and requiring ammunition sellers to obtain a license. He did note that he supports a ban on the sale of assault weapons and is in favor of limiting high-capacity magazines.