Virginia Governor's Race: Gun Control Or Gun Rights?

ALEXANDRIA, VA --With the state recently marking the tenth anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting, the issues of gun control and gun rights have resurfaced as major talking points in the Virginia governor's race.

It's a never ending standoff between Republicans and Democrats in Virginia. Responses to shootings in Virginia and across the country have been varied: from pushing for universal background checks to urging for guns in schools and college campuses.

Despite a few tweaks to gun laws, Virginia has largely remained a strong gun-rights state. Private sellers do not have to follow the same background check requirements as federally-licensed sellers, and open carry without a permit is legal at age 18.

And while there is a partisan divide between Northern Virginia and the rural areas of the state, the National Rifle Association has been headquartered in Fairfax County since 1998.

Here's a look at how the top five candidates stand on gun control and gun rights and their NRA ratings, beginning with the Republicans, in alphabetical order:

Ed Gillespie - NRA Rating: A

The former chair of the Republican National Committee has not talked about gun rights as much as taxes and government spending, but he is straightforward with his position. "I will protect an individual’s Constitutional right to keep and bear arms, standing with our Republican-led General Assembly to defend our Second Amendment rights," he states on his website. But he has taken a general election approach at times, criticizing Democratic candidates Tom Perriello and Ralph Northam for supporting restrictions.

Corey Stewart - NRA Rating: A

The Prince William Board of Supervisors chair has indicated strong support for gun rights and received the endorsement of the Virginia Citizens Defense League. He spoke at a March VCDL rally in Richmond, and supports the group's push for constitutional carry, or carrying a concealed handgun without a permit.

His website states "Corey will defend Virginians’ Second Amendment rights by fighting to remove any restrictions already in place and pro-actively ensuring this right is safely protected going forward. Since the right to self-defense is God-given, Virginians should not have to ask permission to exercise that right."

Bob Sadtler, Chairman of VCDL-PAC, said in a statement, "Corey Stewart answered with a very pro-gun survey and has a record of bold, decisive action. He eliminated all fees associated with conceal carry permits in Prince William County and vehemently supports Constitutional Carry. It was a clear choice."

Frank Wagner - NRA Rating: A

Wagner does not indicate a position in gun rights on his campaign site. However, he said during an April debate at Liberty University that he supports the current laws. "I do not support any more restriction on the rights of gun buyers to purchase, sell or otherwise own firearms," he said.

Ralph Northam - NRA Rating: F

The current lieutenant governor has called for a number of reforms, including background checks, bans on so-called "assault weapons", has no qualms with campaigning on the Virginia Tech anniversary to push for gun control reforms. He touts his work with Virginia Tech victims during his time as state senator. He has released several ads featuring families of Virginia Tech victims. The most recent, “Emily” features Lori Haas, mother of wounded victim Emily and Virginia State Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, which has endorsed Northam.

But Northam's votes on gun control have been mixed. He voted on a background checks for private gun sales bill that was defeated in 2009 and as lieutenant governor cast the vote to defeat a bill to allow concealed carry without permits last year. However, he has voted with pro-gun advocates at times. Northam voted for the 2012 law that prohibit localities from requiring fingerprints to apply for a concealed gun permit. Another vote was for the 2012 requiring law enforcement to offer selling guns to licensed dealers rather than destroying them. Northam got a D rating from the NRA during the lieutenant governor's race, which dropped to an F for the current election.

Northam has argued that he can work with Republicans and Democrats on the gun issue. "My reputation is to work with folks from both sides of the aisle. But if we can pick up some seats and provide us some leverage in Richmond, I think that will be to our benefit as well so that's what we're planning to do as well in 2017," said Northam this month.

Tom Perriello - NRA Rating: F

The former congressman has come out in favor of gun control proposals like background checks and restricting guns from mentally ill people and criminals like domestic abusers. But his campaign states that he supports gun rights for responsible gun users, since he grew up learning to use guns. "I continue to support the rights of responsible gun owners, but I believe that the extreme stances of the corporate gun lobby represent giant gun companies, not most gun owners who understand the need for commonsense gun safety measures," he says on his campaign website.

He has not always taken strict gun control positions. During his term in Congress, he once wrote to President Obama opposing then-Attorney Gen. Eric Holder's so-called "assault weapon" ban reinstatement in 2009. "To even consider reinstating an 'assault weapon' ban is an affront to our Founding Fathers, who so clearly understood the importance of the ordinary citizens' right to keep and bear arms," he wrote. During an unsuccessful run for reelection in 2010, Perriello had received an A rating from the National Rifle Association.

He defended his position at an April debate, calling the NRA “a nut job extremist organization. "I’ve taken no NRA money in this race, as you well know," he said.

The Democratic candidates will square off on the gun control issue this weekend in Alexandria. The forum will be hosted by Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC, a gun control group founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Captain Mark Kelly. The group has not yet endorsed a candidate.

On the pro-gun side, the NRA has not yet endorsed a candidate either.

The primary election is June 13. Gillespie has taken a lead on the Republican side, while the Democratic race is tighter.

Do you want to see any changes to Virginia's gun laws? Let us know in the comments.

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