In 1994 Senate Race, Romney Backed Brady Bill And Assault Weapons Ban, Saying “I Don’t Line Up With
The NRA”
In 1994, Romney Backed Brady Bill. “[Romney] said he will take stands that put him at odds with some
traditional ultra-conservative groups, and cited his support for the assault rifle ban and the Brady gun control law.
‘That’s not going to make me the hero of the NRA,’ he said. ‘I don’t line up with a lot of special interest groups.’”
(Andrew Miga, “Mitt Rejects Right-Wing Aid,” Boston Herald, 9/23/94)
Romney, In 1994: “I Don’t Line Up With The NRA.” (Scott Helman, “Romney Retreats On Gun Control,” The Boston
Globe, 1/14/07)
Romney Called Clinton Crime Bill “A Big Step Forward.” “Correction: Because of a reporting error, a story in
yesterday’s Metro/Region section about the taping of a debate between Republican gubernatorial candidates
incorrectly attributed to John Lakian a quote about the federal crime bill. It was Mitt Romney who said: ‘This
legislation isn’t perfect. But if we think we’re going to go to Washington and only vote for things that are perfect, I
think we’d be making a big mistake. This bill is a big step forward.’” (“Correction,” The Boston Globe, 8/28/94)
“Romney Said He Supports The Ban On 19 Assault Weapons Included In The Bill…” (Scot Lehigh,
“Kennedy’s Rivals Say Crime Bill Was Too Weak For Them,” The Boston Globe, 8/13/94)
Romney Criticized Republican Opponent, Defended Ted Kennedy’s Support For Crime Bill. “Lakian, who
denounced the crime law as ineffective and costly to local communities, criticized Romney’s support for the
measure. But Romney countered, ‘There is nothing dishonorable or un-Republican to vote for that just because
Ted Kennedy supports it.’” (Scot Lehigh and Frank Phillips, “Romney, Lakian Debate Crime, Tax And Abortion,” The Boston Globe,
9/7/94)
Romney Later Blamed Kennedy For Watering Down A “Perfectly Good Bill.” “Mitt Romney charged that
Kennedy had helped water down a tough [crime] bill to the point where it should not have been passed. ‘I
think the House did the right thing in saying, “Let’s fix this bill,”‘ Romney said of the House’s 225-210 decision
not to bring the $33 billion conference committee bill to the floor for a vote. … Romney blamed Kennedy for
what he saw as flaws in the bill. ‘What was a perfectly good bill when it came out of the Senate was taken into
the conference committee and, behind closed doors, Ted Kennedy made some big mistakes,’ Romney said.”
(Scot Lehigh, “Kennedy’s Rivals Say Crime Bill Was Too Weak For Them,” The Boston Globe, 8/13/94)
In 1994, Romney Backed Assault Weapons Ban And Brady Bill, Boasting “That’s Not Going To Make Me
The Hero Of The NRA.” “[Romney] said he will take stands that put him at odds with some traditional ultraconservative
groups, and cited his support for the assault rifle ban and the Brady gun control law. ‘That’s not
going to make me the hero of the NRA,’ he said. ‘I don’t line up with a lot of special interest groups.’” (Andrew Miga,
“Mitt Rejects Right-Wing Aid,” Boston Herald, 9/23/94)
Romney In 1994: 5-Day Waiting Period Won’t Have “Massive Effect On Crime But … Will Have A
Positive Effect.” “The candidate reiterated his support for an assault weapons ban contained in Congress’
crime bill, and the Brady law which imposes a five-day waiting period on handgun purchases. ‘I don’t think
(the waiting period) will have a massive effect on crime but I think it will have a positive effect,’ Romney said.”
(Joe Battenfeld, “Herald Panel Grills Romney On Crime,” Boston Herald, 8/1/94)
As Governor, Romney Quadrupled Gun Licensing Fees And Vowed Not To “Chip Away” At Tough Gun
Laws
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Romney, In 2002: “We Do Have Tough Gun Laws In Massachusetts. I Support Them. I Won’t Chip away At Them. I Believe They Help Protect Us And Provide For Our Safety.” (Gubernatorial Candidates Debate,
Springfield, MA, 9/24/02)