Following the mass shooting on Wednesday in San Bernardino, in which 14 people were killed, presidential candidates expressed their condolences and spoke out about the killings – but only the Democratic candidates seemed to call for action on gun control.
Ted Cruz (Republican)
NRA rating: A+ in 2010
“All of us are deeply concerned that this is yet another manifestation of terrorism, radical Islamic terrorism here at home,” Cruz said at a meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition on Thursday.
“Coming on the wake of the terror attack in Paris, this horrific murder underscores that we are at a time of war,” he added. “Whether or not the current administration realizes it or is willing to acknowledge it, our enemies are at war with us.”
Mike Huckabee (Republican)
NRA rating: A+ in 2002
According to a CBS reporter, Huckabee spoke to reporters on Wednesday while on the campaign trail in Iowa about what he believes are the two common factors in all of the recent mass shootings: a mentally unstable person and gun-free zones.
“It’s always a tragedy when somebody engages in some mass murder. I think it’s a reminder to us in most every case that we’ve had in this country, two things have been a common denominators, one a mentally unstable person, two a gun-free zone,” he said. “And those seem to be the common denominators. I don’t know if that’s the case in San Bernardino but if it turns out to be, it’ll be one more horrible tragedy that we’ll have to grieve through
Bernie Sanders (Democrat)
NRA rating: D- in 2012
The Vermont senator added in a long statement:
“We need to significantly expand and improve background checks. Who is arguing that people who should not have guns because of a criminal background, because of mental problems should not be able to purchase guns? Very few Americans disagree with that.
“We need to renew the assault weapons ban. We need to end the sale of high capacity magazines.
“We need to make gun trafficking a federal crime and give law enforcement the tools they need to get illegal guns off the streets.
“We need to close the gun show loophole, as well as loopholes that allow gun purchasers to buy a gun after the waiting period expires without a completed background check.
“We need to close loopholes that allow domestic abusers and stalkers to obtain
