The presidential campaign of former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., issued the
following news release:
To correct Governor Mike Huckabee's misstatements on "Meet The Press" today,
Governor Mitt Romney released the following statement reiterating his support
for our pro-life and pro-Second Amendment platform:
"Just days before the people of Iowa begin the process of selecting the
Republican nominee, I want to reiterate my commitment to our party's pro-life
and pro-Second Amendment values. I am proud to be firmly pro-life. As Governor,
every decision I made came down on the side of life and I will be a pro-life
President. When it comes to protecting the Second Amendment, I do not support
any new gun laws including any new ban on semi-automatic firearms. As President,
I will follow President Bush's precedent of opposing any laws that go beyond the
restrictions in place when I take office. The laws I do and will support include
decades-old restrictions on weapons of unusual lethality like grenades, rocket
launchers, fully automatic firearms and what are legally known as destructive
devices and would include similar restrictions on new and exotic weapons of
similar or even greater lethality. I am proud of my record of defending life and
the Second Amendment."
MYTH: On NBC's "Meet The Press," Governor Huckabee Questioned Governor
Romney's Pro-Life Record. GOVERNOR HUCKABEE: "...[W]hen he comes on and says
he's pro-life and yet he signed a bill that gives a $50 co-pay for an elective
abortion in his state's health care plan." (NBC's "Meet The Press,"
12/30/07)
FACT: Governor Romney Has A Record Of Siding With Life:
Governor Mitt Romney Is Pro-Life And Believes "Abortion Is The Wrong Choice."
(Governor Mitt Romney, Op-Ed, "Why I Vetoed The Contraception Bill," The Boston
Globe, 7/26/05)
Governor Romney: "Every decision I have made as Governor in a very liberal
state has been on the side of favoring life." (Robert Behre, "Romney Gets S.C.
Support," Charleston Post-Courier, 1/30/07)
- Governor Romney Vetoed Legislation That Would Have Provided For The
"Morning After Pill" Without A Prescription. (Governor Mitt Romney, Op-Ed, "Why
I Vetoed The Contraception Bill," The Boston Globe, 7/26/05)
- Governor Romney Promoted Abstinence Education In The Classroom. (Office Of
Governor Mitt Romney, "Romney Announces Award Of Abstinence Education Contract,"
Press Release, 4/20/06)
- Governor Romney Vetoed Legislation That Would Have Changed The Longstanding
Definition Of The Beginning Of Human Life From Fertilization To Implantation.
(Governor Mitt Romney, Letter To The Massachusetts State Senate And House Of
Representatives, 5/12/05)
- Governor Romney Supports Parental Notification Laws And Opposed Efforts To
Weaken Parental Involvement. (John McElhenny, "O'Brien And Romney Spar In Last
Debate Before Election," The Associated Press, 10/29/02)
- Governor Romney Supports Adult Stem Cell Research But Has Opposed Efforts
To Advance Embryo-Destructive Research In Massachusetts. (Theo Emery,
"Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney Vetoes Stem Cell Bill," The Associated Press,
5/27/05)
Governor Romney Has Been Recognized For His Pro-Life Leadership In
Massachusetts. "Mitt Romney was a great Governor, who served with honor and
distinction. But most importantly, he was a pro-life Governor. He vetoed a
number of pro-abortion pieces of legislation and made many pro-life
appointments. He was always there for us. He's a busy man these days and we are
extra fortunate that he and his wife Ann could be with us. Governor, you have
been an inspirational leader in many ways. And if I may say so, Mitt, you're
looking very presidential. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming our
friend, Governor Mitt Romney, to the podium as our 2007 Mullins Award Winner for
Outstanding Political Leadership." (Kevin Jourdain, Remarks, Agawam, MA,
5/10/07)
Massachusetts Citizens For Life Executive Director Marie Sturgis: "Having
Governor Romney in the corner office for the last four years has been one of the
strongest assets the pro-life movement has had in Massachusetts." (Kathryn Jean
Lopez, "An Early Massachusetts Primary," National Review, 1/10/07)
FACT: Under The Bill Signed By The Governor, The Health Care Benefits Package
Was Developed By The Connector Authority - An Independent Body Separate From The
Governor's Office:
The Commonwealth Care Package Is Designed And Administered By The
Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority. "The Connector administers
two separate programs; Commonwealth Care and Commonwealth Choice. Commonwealth
Care offers subsidized insurance to people whose annual incomes are up to 300%
or the Federal Poverty Level." (Commonwealth Connector Official Website,
http://www.mass.gov/, Accessed 2/5/07)
- The Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority Is An Independent
Public Authority And Their Decisions Were Made Separate Of The Romney
Administration. "The Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority is an
independent public authority created to implement significant portions of the
new landmark health care reform legislation. The Connector assists qualified
Massachusetts adult residents with the purchase of affordable health care
coverage if they don't already have it." (Commonwealth Connector Official
Website, http://www.mass.gov/, Accessed 2/5/07)
FACT: Under State Law And Court Precedent, If The State Is Funding Health
Care Benefits It Cannot Refuse To Provide Abortion Coverage:
In 1981, The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Ruled That The State
Constitution Required Payment For Abortion Services For Medicaid-Eligible Women.
(Moe v. Secretary of Admin & Finance, 1981)
- According To The Decision, When A State Subsidizes Medical Care, It Cannot
Infringe On "The Exercise Of A Fundamental Right" Which The Court Interpreted As
Access To Medically Necessary Abortion Services. (Moe v. Secretary of Admin
& Finance, 1981)
- In 1997, The Supreme Judicial Court Reaffirmed Its Position That A
State-Subsidized Plan Must Offer "Medically Necessary Abortions." (Planned
Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Inc. v. Attorney General, 1997)
MYTH: On NBC's "Meet The Press," Governor Huckabee Questioned Governor
Romney's Commitment To The Second Amendment. GOVERNOR HUCKABEE: "...[W]hen he
claims that he's really for the Second Amendment, but he - on this show he
talked about how he supported limitations and restrictions on lawful,
law-abiding citizens having gun ownership rights, those are not the marks of a
person who's pro-life and pro-Second Amendment." (NBC's "Meet The Press,"
12/30/07)
FACT: Governor Romney Has A Strong Pro-Second Amendment Agenda:
Governor Romney Strongly Supports An Individual's Right To Keep And Bear Arms
Under The Second Amendment. Governor Romney believes in safe and responsible gun
ownership. He recognizes there are people in this country who want to remove all
guns in our society and he thinks they're wrong. Washington needs to distinguish
between law abiding gun owners and those who misuse guns.
- Governor Romney Has A Distinguished Record As Governor of Massachusetts In
Defending Our Second Amendment Rights. His efforts on behalf of gun owners have
been lauded by gun rights and sportsmen's advocates.
Governor Romney Believes The Second Amendment Protects Essential Freedoms And
Supports The Constitutional Right Of Law Abiding Citizens To Keep And Bear Arms.
"As president, I'll honor the right of decent, law-abiding citizens to own and
use firearms in defense of their families and property and for all other lawful
purposes, including the common defense." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks To The
NRA, Washington, D.C., 9/21/07)
- Governor Romney Believes The Second Amendment Is About More Than Just
Self-Defense Or Sport; It's About The Basic Freedom Of Lawful Citizens To Live
Their Lives. The Second Amendment was enshrined by the Founding Fathers in our
Constitution and our Bill of Rights to protect the rights of our citizens to own
firearms. Bumper sticker gun control does not protect the individual but instead
takes away protections and penalizes law-abiding citizens. Criminals do not buy
guns in stores nor subject themselves to background checks. Law-abiding citizens
certainly have a right to protect their homes and their families.
- Governor Romney Believes We Need To Focus On Enforcing Our Current Laws
Rather Than Creating More Laws That Burden Lawful Gun Owners.
Like President Bush, Governor Romney Would Have Signed The Assault Weapons
Ban Extension At That Time. As Governor Romney stated on CNN and "Meet the
Press," had he been President and had the Assault Weapons Ban extension reached
his desk, like President Bush, he would have signed it. That bill did not pass
Congress. Governor Romney has stated that he would not reinstate that Assault
Weapons Ban. In fact, Governor Romney does not support any new gun laws
including a ban on semi-automatic firearms. He would consider limitations on
weapons of unusual lethality like grenades, rocket launchers, fully automatic
firearms and what are legally known as destructive weapons. (NBC's "Meet The
Press," 12/16/07; CNN's "The Situation Room," 11/26/07; The Des Moines Register,
10/23/07)
Governor Romney Supports Court Decisions That Strengthen The Second
Amendment. "Finally, let me say that one of the most active fronts in the fight
to preserve our Second Amendment rights today is being waged in the courts.
Lawsuits have been filed seeking to take away the individual's right to bear
arms. We have to look no further than the Parker case. I hope the Roberts court
takes the Parker case and upholds the Bill of Rights to protect gun owners
everywhere. I've made it clear that I'll appoint judges who believe in strictly
interpreting the Constitution, judges in the mold of Roberts, Alito, Scalia and
Thomas. It's simply wrong for judges to legislate from the bench. They should
follow the law in the Constitution, not make new law." (Governor Mitt Romney,
Remarks To The NRA, Washington, D.C., 9/21/07)
Governor Romney Supports The Rights Of Pro-Second Amendment Groups To Be
Involved In The Political Process. "And I'll ask Congress to repeal the
McCain-Feingold law which sought to impose restrictions on the First Amendment
rights of groups like the NRA to advocate for issues we care about. Some parts
have already been declared unconstitutional. We ought to get rid of the entire
bill." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks To The NRA, Washington, D.C., 9/21/07)
Governor Romney Opposes Backdoor Attempts To Ban Guns. "We need tort reform
as well. That's the way we fight the backdoor attempt to ban guns by bankrupting
manufacturers." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks To The NRA, Washington, D.C.,
9/21/07)
FACT: Governor Romney Repeatedly Sided With Massachusetts Gun Owners And
Sportsmen In Defending Second Amendment Rights:
On The 31st Anniversary Of Gun Owners' Action League (GOAL), Governor Romney
Declared May 7, 2005 As "Right To Bear Arms Day" In Massachusetts. (Gun Owners'
Action League Official Website, http://www.goal.org/, Accessed 2/19/07)
- The Boston Globe: "Also, in 2005, Romney designated May 7 as 'The Right to
Bear Arms Day' in Massachusetts to honor 'the right of decent, law-abiding
citizens to own and use firearms in defense of their families, persons, and
property and for all lawful purposes, including the common defense.'" (Scott
Helman, The Boston Globe, 1/14/07)
In July 2006, Governor Romney Signed Legislation Reversing Burdensome
Regulations For The Makers Of Customized Target Pistols. "Governor Mitt Romney
today signed legislation approving an exemption for the makers of customized
target pistols, who due to a provision within state law have found it
increasingly difficult to do business in Massachusetts." (Office Of Governor
Mitt Romney, "Governor Romney Approves Exemption For Target Pistols," Press
Release, 7/26/06)
- GOAL Executive Director James Wallace: "Target shooters are an important
part of our membership and I know they will be very pleased with this change."
(Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, "Governor Romney Approves Exemption For Target
Pistols," Press Release, 7/26/06)
In November 2005, Governor Romney Signed Legislation Clarifying The
Definition Of A Loaded Muzzleloader. "Governor Mitt Romney today signed
legislation aimed at providing one clear definition of a loaded shotgun or rifle
for the state's hunting enthusiasts. ... 'Today, we are simplifying the gun laws
in Massachusetts,' Romney said. 'With this legislation, our hunters will know
precisely what is expected of them.' ... Hunters now no longer face the lengthy,
complex and unnecessary task of cleaning the barrel every time they encounter a
public way, nor will they unknowingly violate the law by only removing a gun's
priming device." (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, "Romney Resolves Long-Standing
Conflict In State's Firearm Law," Press Release, 11/22/05)
- GOAL Executive Director James Wallace: "This new law addresses a conflict
that had previously caused great concern in those who use traditional muzzle
loading rifles and shotguns. Now they confidently know what is expected of them
and can enjoy their heritage without the fear of being prosecuted for violating
a poorly written law." (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, "Romney Resolves
Long-Standing Conflict In State's Firearm Law," Press Release, 11/22/05)
Governor Romney Signed Into Law A Provision Providing Free Replacement
Licenses. (Gun Owners' Action League Official Website, http://www.goal.org/,
Accessed 2/19/07)
In 2005, Governor Mitt Romney "Suspended 'Administrative Fees' To The Natural
Heritage And Endangered Species Fund Of Massachusetts." (Gun Owners' Action
League Official Website, http://www.goal.org/ Accessed 2/19/07)
In July 2004, Governor Romney Signed Major Legislation Supported By Gun
Owners That Reformed The State's Onerous Gun Laws. "The bill enjoyed the support
of Massachusetts gun owners because it also encompassed several measures they
favored - including a lengthening of the terms of firearm identification cards
and licenses to carry." (Scott Helman, The Boston Globe, 1/14/07)
- NRA Website: "NRA and GOAL supported this bill because it did not ban any
guns, and because it made much-needed reforms." (NRA Official Website,
http://www.nraila.org/, Accessed 10/16/07)
- NRA Website: "...NRA members should be very pleased in knowing that their
efforts to educate and work with their local representatives and senators
resulted in a successful reform action. Thanks to you and the Gun Owners' Action
League, lawful gun owners can now take advantage of this first set of real
reforms in over five years." (NRA Official Website, http://www.nraila.org/,
Accessed 10/16/07)
The Law Governor Romney Signed Made A Number Of Improvements To Help
Sportsmen, Including:
- Establishing The Firearm License Review Board To Review Cases Of Those
Applying To Have Their Firearm Licenses Restored.
- Extending The Term Of Firearm Licenses From Four Years To Six Years.
- Re-Instating A 90-Day Grace Period For Citizens Trying To Renew Their
Firearm License.