• Obama addressed the June 2008 Supreme Court decision striking down the
District of Columbia's gun ban by saying, “I have always believed that the
Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms, but I also
identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children
from the violence that plagues our streets through common-sense, effective
safety measures. The Supreme Court has now endorsed that view, and while it
ruled that the D.C. gun ban went too far, Justice Scalia himself acknowledged
that this right is not absolute and subject to reasonable regulations enacted
by local communities to keep their streets safe.”

• Obama has a history of supporting gun control. 

• Obama supports a ban on assault weapons and concealed weapons.

• He would crackdown on unscrupulous gun dealers.

• He voted against prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. 

• McCain praised the June 2008 Supreme Court decision striking down the District
of Columbia's gun ban. “Obviously I am very pleased about that decision,” he
said. “We had filed an amicus brief with 54 other senators. So I am pleased
with that ruling." 

• He opposes holding gun manufacturers liable for crimes using a firearm and
has voted to protect gun manufacturers from such liability. He has however
supported legislation requiring gun manufacturers to include gun safety devices
such as trigger locks in product packaging.

• McCain supports assault weapons and concealed weapons and has voted
consistently against such bans or restrictions.  Most recently he opposed an
amendment to extend a ban on 19 specific firearms, and others with similar
characteristics.

• He believes that banning ammunition is just another way to undermine Second
Amendment rights. He voted against an amendment that would have banned
ammunition marketed or labeled as ‘armor-piercing.’

• McCain introduced legislation that would require an instant criminal
background check for all sales at gun shows. He supports instant criminal
background checks for gun buyers and wants them to be conducted thoroughly,
efficiently, and without infringing on the rights of law abiding citizens or
effectively blocking transactions.

• McCain supports the importation of certain types of high capacity ammunition
magazines and has voted against any limitations. 

• McCain believes in strict, mandatory penalties for criminals who use a
firearm in the commission of a crime or illegally possess a firearm. Enforcing
the current laws on the books is the best way to deter crime.