Hillary Clinton on Gun Control

Hillary Clinton maintained a strong stance in favor of stricter gun control regulations throughout her 2016 presidential campaign, making it a centerpiece of her platform in contrast to her previous, more moderate position during the 2008 primary. Her core proposals centered on expanding background checks to cover all gun sales, including online and at gun shows, and closing the so-called "Charleston loophole" which permits sales to proceed if background checks are not completed within three days. She also called for repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) to end legal liability protections for gun manufacturers and sellers, treating them like any other business that can be held accountable for their products.

Beyond these measures, Clinton repeatedly stated that weapons of war should not be on the streets, explicitly calling for an assault weapons ban. Furthermore, she pushed to prevent individuals on federal terrorist watch lists from purchasing firearms, arguing that if someone is deemed too dangerous to fly, they should also be too dangerous to buy a gun. While emphasizing that she was not seeking to repeal the Second Amendment, she did express disagreement with the Supreme Court's application of the amendment in the Heller decision, which affirmed an individual right to bear arms. Her campaign actively sought to contrast her firm stance with that of her Democratic primary opponent, who had previously voted for the PLCAA and against the Brady Bill.