Culture or Control: Guns Spark Intense Debate

 

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The NRA gave 88 percent of its campaign contributions to Republicans in the 2004 presidential election campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. In 2000, the NRA devoted 94 percent of its campaign contributions to Republican candidates.

However, Second-Amendment purists may find fault with the current crop of leading GOP presidential candidates.

McCain twice co-sponsored legislation to regulate gun shows more strictly but he did vote to allow a ban on lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence.

As mayor of New York City, Giuliani strongly supported gun control, endorsing a lawsuit brought by the city against gun makers who, he said, were "deliberately manufacturing many more firearms than can be bought for legitimate purposes."

However, as a 2008 republican presidential candidate, Giuliani has made a states' rights argument, suggesting that restrictive gun laws suitable for larger metropolises may not be necessary in rural communities.

This August Romney obtained his first NRA membership.

However, as governor of Massachusetts, Romney pledged to uphold the state's gun control laws. He has previously supporting a ban on some assault weapons and federal waiting periods before a gun purchase.

Romney got into trouble this month when, during a question-and-answer session in New Hampshire, he told a man wearing a NRA cap, "I purchased a gun when I was a young man. I've been a hunter pretty much all my life."

It was later reported that Romney had only been on two hunting trips, prompting the candidate to explain, "I'm by no means a big game hunter. I'm more Jed Clampett than Teddy Roosevelt."

Critics say it's a sign that Republicans feel the need to adjust their positions in order to attract the NRA. Strategists -- recent election history -- seem to suggest it's a political reality.