Politicsromney-nraPoliticsmitt-romney-nra

Mitt Romney: 'There Are Differences Between Myself And The NRA'

Romney: 'There Are Differences Between Myself And The NRA'
Open Image Modal
By 

Senior Politics Editor, HuffPost

|

Mitt Romney publicly distanced himself from the National Rifle Association on Wednesday afternoon, though he declined to specify the policies on which he and the gun lobby disagreed.

"There are differences between myself and the NRA," he told NBC's Brian WIlliams, according to a transcript provided by the network. "On many issues, we -- we share a common commitment to the Second Amendment and the right of people to bear arms. But I'm sure from time to time there'll be issues where -- where they and I might part. I -- I don't have one for you right now. But -- but their agenda is not entirely identical with my own. I -- I don't know that I line up 100% with the -- with almost anybody."

Later in the interview, Romney discussed his preference for background checks for gun purchasers, though without addressing a loophole that allows many people to purchase firearms at gun shows without being subject to such screenings.

"There have been -- in the past, there has been an effort to say, 'Let's do background checks on people who seek to obtain -- weapons.' And those kinds of background checks are often times able to find people who are disturbed or people who committed crimes in the past," he said. "And I've indicated that those kinds of background checks -- consistent with the law -- can help prevent a crime."

The interview marks one of the first -- and certainly the most notable -- instances in which Romney has sought distance from aspects of the Republican platform since becoming the party's likely nominee for president, even if he left enough wiggle room to avoid alarming the NRA.

Williams asked Romney what he thought would be an appropriate response to the shooting that took place in Aurora, Colo. last Friday. On the broad issue of whether or not gun control legislation should be introduced, he sided with the Obama administration in arguing that changes should be made through existing law.

"I don't see a new piece of legislation, which is gonna keep someone, for instance, who was building bombs from building bombs, given the fact we already have that legislation," said Romney. "He's not allowed to do what he was doing. Just -- just having a law saying someone can't do a bad thing doesn't always keep a person from doing a bad thing."

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Pivotal Moments In The Federal Gun Control Debate
1981: The Attempted Assassination Of President Ronald Reagan(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
on March 30, 1981, President Reagan and three others were shot and wounded in an assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr. outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Reagan's press secretary, Jim Brady, was shot in the head. (credit:Ron Edmonds, AP)
1993: The Brady Handgun Violence Act (02 of10)
Open Image Modal
The Brady Handgun Violence Act of 1993, signed into law by President Bill Clinton, mandated that federally licensed dealers complete comprehensive background checks on individuals before selling them a gun. The legislation was named for James Brady, who was shot during an attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
1994: The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994, instituted a ban on 19 kinds of assault weapons, including Uzis and AK-47s. The crime bill also banned the possession of magazines holding more than ten rounds of ammunition. (An exemption was made for weapons and magazines manufactured prior to the ban.)
2004: Law Banning Magazines Holding More Than Ten Rounds Of Ammunition Expires(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
In 2004, ten years after it first became law, Congress allowed a provision banning possession of magazines holding more than ten rounds of ammunition to expire through a sunset provision. Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke told HuffPost that the expiration of this provision meant that Rep. Gabby Giffords's alleged shooter was able to fire off 20-plus shots without reloading (under the former law he would have had only ten).
2007: The U.S. Court of Appeals For The District Of Columbia Rules In Favor Of Dick Heller(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
In 2007 The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled to allow Dick Heller, a licensed District police officer, to keep a handgun in his home in Washington, D.C. Following that ruling, the defendants petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.
2008: The NICS Improvement Amendments Act(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
Following the deadly shooting at Virginia Tech University, Congress passed legislation to require states provide data on mentally unsound individuals to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, with the aim of halting gun purchases by the mentally ill, and others prohibited from possessing firearms. The bill was signed into law by President George W. Bush in January of 2008.
2008: Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Handgun Ban As Unconstitutional(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
In June of 2008, the United States Supreme Court upheld the verdict of a lower court ruling the D.C. handgun ban unconstitutional in the landmark case District of Columbia v. Heller.
Gabrielle Giffords And Trayvon Martin Shootings(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
Gun control advocates had high hopes that reform efforts would have increased momentum in the wake of two tragic events that rocked the nation.In January of 2011, Jared Loughner opened fire at an event held by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), killing six and injuring 13, including the congresswoman. Resulting attempts to push gun control legislation proved fruitless, with neither proposal even succeeding in gaining a single GOP co-sponsor.More than a year after that shooting, Florida teenager Trayvon Martin was gunned down by George Zimmerman in an event that some believed would bring increased scrutiny on the nation's Stand Your Ground laws. While there has been increasing discussion over the nature of those statutes, lawmakers were quick to concede that they had little faith the event would effectively spur gun control legislation, thanks largely to the National Rifle Association's vast lobbying power.Read more here: (credit:AP)
Colorado Movie Theater Shooting(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
In July of 2012, a heavily armed gunman opened fire on theatergoers attending a midnight premiere of the final film of the latest Batman trilogy, killing 12 and wounding scores more.The suspect, James Eagan Holmes, allegedly carried out the act with a number of handguns, as well as an AR-15 assault rifle with a 100-round drum magazine.Some lawmakers used the incident, which took place in a state with some of the laxest gun control laws, to bring forth legislation designed to place increased regulations on access to such weapons, but many observers, citing previous experience, were hesitant to say that they would be able to overcome the power of the National Rifle Association and Washington gun lobby. (credit:AP)
Sikh Temple Shooting(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
On August 5, 2012, white supremacist Wade Michael Page opened fire on a Sikhs gathered at a temple in Oak Creek, Wis., killing six and wounding four more before turning the gun on himself. (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip