Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Have Abysmal Records on Fighting Gun Violence, Signaled That They Won’t Act to Prevent Tragedies

Michigan students, parents, and educators alike won’t be able to count on any of the Republicans running for governor to say enough is enough and support common sense measures to prevent the next massacre. 

Earlier this year, in the wake of the school shooting at Oxford High, out-of-touch millionaire Kevin Rinke callously stated, “So there’s going to be shootings, I get it. They’re unfortunate. But…I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by six.” The used Toyota salesman also threw his support behind making Michigan a “constitutional carry” state, where anyone can have concealed weapons without a permit.

Garrett Soldano also reacted to the Oxford shooting in the aftermath, using the tragedy to advance his backwards agenda to inject even more guns into grade schools and push for constitutional carry. His campaign held an AR-15 giveaway contest a month before the shooting.

After Oxford, James Craig urged Michiganders to “stop talking about the gun.” He has also previously pushed for arming teachers after the Parkland shooting in Florida. Similarly after a man gunned down 10 Black Buffalo residents barely a week ago, Craig said, “I’m going to reject the thing about gun control.” 

Lastly, extremist Tudor Dixon argued that “gun control means using both hands” and vowed to “always protect and defend the second amendment.”

MDP spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite issued the following statement:

“Garrett Soldano, Tudor Dixon, Kevin Rinke, and James Craig have made it abundantly clear to Michigan students, parents, and teachers that there is no semblance of ‘enough’ for them. Their callous and extreme statements on guns make clear that they would all pursue radical and dangerous agendas that would put more Michiganders at risk of violence. Michiganders deserve leadership that finds it completely unacceptable to live in a world where parents have to worry if their kids will come home.”

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