During the Sunday night Democratic presidential debate, Hillary Clinton reiterated her attacks on Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) gun control record, going after him for voting against numerous gun control bills as a member of Congress.
“I have made it clear, based on Sen. Sanders own record that he has voted with the NRA, with the gun lobby numerous times,” Clinton said Sunday night.
The former secretary of state criticized Sanders for voting against the Brady bill, which established mandatory background checks, as well as bills to close background check loopholes and fund research on guns.
Clinton recalled last year’s black church massacre in Charleston, S.C., the site of Sunday night’s debate, to call out Sanders’ record on gun control.
She also noted that Sanders has supported immunity for gun manufacturers, which Clinton said the NRA felt “was the most important piece of gun legislation in 20 years.”
“Ninety people a day die from gun violence in our country. That’s 33,000 people a year. One of the most horrific examples, not a block from here, where we had nine people murdered,” she said. “Now, I am pleased to hear that Sen. Sanders has reversed his position on immunity, and I look forward to him joining with those members of Congress who have already introduced legislation.”
Sanders called Clinton’s criticisms “disingenuous” and defended his previous support for immunity for gun manufacturers.
“What I have said is that the gun manufacturers liability bill had some good provisions. Among other things, we prohibited ammunition that would have killed cops who had protection on. We had child safety protection on guns in that legislation,” he said. “And what we also said is a small, mom and pop gun shop, who sells a gun legally to somebody, should not be held liable if somebody does something terrible with that gun. So what I said I would relook at it the, we are going to relook at it. And I will support stronger provisions.”
