Mostly higher-rated Republicans offer ‘thoughts and prayers’ and little else while low-rated Democrats are the only ones to call for action on gun control

Following the mass shooting on Wednesday in San Bernardino, in which 14 people were killed, presidential candidates expressed their condolences and spoke out about the killings – but only the Democratic candidates seemed to call for action on gun control.



San Bernardino shooting suspects raised few red flags before 'horrendous' crime Read more

Here we compare the candidates’ statements with their National Rifle Association ratings. The pro-gun lobby group gives politicians a grade ranging from A to F that reflects their voting record on gun rights. Some candidates who do not have a legislative track record on second amendment issues do not yet have NRA scores.

Ted Cruz (Republican)

NRA rating: A+ in 2010

Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and the first responders in San Bernardino who willingly go into harm’s way to save others

“All of us are deeply concerned that this is yet another manifestation of terrorism, radical Islamic terrorism here at home,” Cruz said at a meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition on Thursday.

“Coming on the wake of the terror attack in Paris, this horrific murder underscores that we are at a time of war,” he added. “Whether or not the current administration realizes it or is willing to acknowledge it, our enemies are at war with us.”

Rick Santorum (Republican)

NRA rating: A+ in 2006

Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones and all those impacted by today's tragedy in California #SanBernadino

Jeb Bush (Republican)

NRA rating: A+ in 2002

Jeb Bush (@JebBush) Praying for the victims, their families & the San Bernardino first responders in the wake of this tragic shooting.

Mike Huckabee (Republican)

NRA rating: A+ in 2002

Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) Praying for those impacted by the shooting in California today.

According to a CBS reporter, Huckabee spoke to reporters on Wednesday while on the campaign trail in Iowa about what he believes are the two common factors in all of the recent mass shootings: a mentally unstable person and gun-free zones.

“It’s always a tragedy when somebody engages in some mass murder. I think it’s a reminder to us in most every case that we’ve had in this country, two things have been a common denominators, one a mentally unstable person, two a gun-free zone,” he said. “And those seem to be the common denominators. I don’t know if that’s the case in San Bernardino but if it turns out to be, it’ll be one more horrible tragedy that we’ll have to grieve through as a country.”

Rand Paul (Republican)

NRA rating: A (qualified) in 2010

Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families, and brave first responders during this unspeakable tragedy.

The New York Daily News printed a cover stating “God Isn’t Fixing This”, featuring tweets from Paul and three other Republican candidates offering prayers for the victims of the shooting. Paul tweeted: “This @NYDailyNews cover is deplorable. Genuine thoughts and prayers are not political fodder.”

He linked to a longer statement that added: “This attack represents a fundamental problem with the media and politics in general. Attacking religious sentiments to promote an agenda as tragedy strikes is despicable.”

Carly Fiorina (Republican)

NRA rating: A (qualified) in 2010

“As the tragedy in San Bernardino unfolds, predictably, without knowing any of the facts of what has happened there or why, President Obama and Hillary Clinton immediately came out and made a political statement for gun control,” Fiorina said when asked about second amendment rights on Wednesday, according to ABC.

“We know, the facts are very clear, that of all the people in the United States that should not own firearms, and there are so many, less than 1% of them are ever prosecuted,” she said. “So instead of Mrs Clinton calling for more laws, why don’t we enforce the laws that we have and as well enforce the second amendment?”

She also spoke out against stricter gun control laws and said: “Now is not the time to call for law-abiding citizens to put down their guns.”

Jim Gilmore (Republican)

NRA rating: A in 2008

Jim Gilmore (@gov_gilmore) Heartfelt sympathy for victims of yesterday’s terrorist attack in California. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.

John Kasich (Republican)

NRA rating: A- in 2014

John Kasich (@JohnKasich) My thoughts & prayers go out to those impacted by the shooting in San Bernardino, especially the first responders. -John

Lindsey Graham (Republican)

NRA rating: A- in 2014

Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) Thoughts & prayers are with #SanBernardino

Marco Rubio (Republican)

NRA rating: B+ in 2010

While speaking before the Republican Jewish Coalition on Thursday, Rubio said that his “prayers” were with the victims.

“We don’t know all the facts yet, but we certainly have learned some facts that are concerning,” he added.

Chris Christie (Republican)

NRA rating: C in 2013

Governor Christie (@GovChristie) Praying for all those victimized by the shootings in San Bernardino, California today.

Bernie Sanders (Democrat)

NRA rating: D- in 2012

Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) Mass shootings are becoming an almost-everyday occurrence in this country. This sickening and senseless gun violence must stop.

The Vermont senator added in a long statement:

“We need to significantly expand and improve background checks. Who is arguing that people who should not have guns because of a criminal background, because of mental problems should not be able to purchase guns? Very few Americans disagree with that.

“We need to renew the assault weapons ban. We need to end the sale of high capacity magazines.

“We need to make gun trafficking a federal crime and give law enforcement the tools they need to get illegal guns off the streets.

“We need to close the gun show loophole, as well as loopholes that allow gun purchasers to buy a gun after the waiting period expires without a completed background check.

“We need to close loopholes that allow domestic abusers and stalkers to obtain guns.

“We need to strengthen penalties for straw purchasers who buy guns from licensed dealers on behalf of someone prohibited from purchasing a gun.

“And very significantly, we need to greatly expand and improve our mental health capabilities. The sad reality is that in America today there are many thousands of people who are walking our streets who are suicidal or homicidal. And these people need treatment when they need treatment, regardless of their income, regardless of their insurance status. When they are in crisis they should be able to get treatment today, not two months from now.

“These are just some of the ideas that in fact are supported by the vast majority of the American people, and it’s time the Congress move forward in response.”

George Pataki (Republican)

NRA rating: F in 2002

George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) Praying for the victims and first responders in #SanBernardino for a quick resolution.

Hillary Clinton (Democrat)

NRA rating: F

Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now. -H https://t.co/SkKglwQycb

Clinton was speaking about the need for gun control laws in Florida as the shooting unfolded, Liz Kreutz of ABC reported.

“Ninety Americans a day die from gun violence, homicide, suicides, tragic avoidable accidents. Thirty-three thousand Americans a year die,” the Democratic candidate said.

“It is time for us to say we are going to have comprehensive background checks, we are going to close the gun show loopholes,” she added. “We are going to close the outline gun loophole, we are going to close the Charleston loophole, and the immunity for the gun-makers and sellers.”

Martin O’Malley (Democrat)

NRA rating: F

Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) Horrifying news out of #SanBernardino. Enough is enough: it's time to stand up to the @NRA and enact meaningful gun safety laws

During an interview with MSNBC, O’Malley spoke about the need for stricter gun control laws and how he was “the only candidate seeking our party’s nomination that’s actually passed comprehensive gun safety legislation with a ban on the sale of combat assault weapons, with universal background checks”.

“It could well be and probably is an act of domestic terrorism. In some ways when you look at the carnage that’s been created in all of these mass shootings, we have sadly started to grow numb to this,” the Democratic candidate said. “This may well be an act of domestic terrorism, but it’s also one that’s made easier by the fact that we’re the only developed nation on the planet that doesn’t do a damn thing to keep combat assault weapons out of the hands of those who should not be able to get them.”

He added: “The very fact that Paul Ryan would start talking about due process and these sorts of issues I think is outrageous in the wake of something like this. The fact that a terror suspect on a no-fly list can actually buy a combat assault weapon in the United States is ridiculous. We need to do better.”

Ben Carson (Republican)

NRA rating: N/A

Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) My thoughts and prayers are with the shooting victims and their families in San Bernardino.

During a news conference in South Carolina on Wednesday, Carson called the shooting in San Bernardino a “hate crime”.

“Look at what happened, again another hate crime in San Bernardino today,” he said. “At least 14 people killed. When less than a week ago we had the shooting in Colorado. And then look at all the things that are going on around the world. Isis and groups like this. Just hatred and evil. And we need to be able to combat these things because otherwise we will melt into despair. And that’s not who we are. This is America.”

Asked to expand on what he meant by “hate crime”, he added: “Well it’s hard to imagine that you would shoot a bunch of people if you didn’t hate them, right? You don’t do that to people you love.”

Donald Trump (Republican)

NRA rating: N/A

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) California shooting looks very bad. Good luck to law enforcement and God bless. This is when our police are so appreciated!

Trump said that the police did “one hell of a job” and called for a moment of silence to honor the victims at the beginning of a Virginia rally on Wednesday.

“This is when we appreciate our great police and our law enforcement. Remember that. Remember that,” he said. “They don’t get enough credit, they should get it and you’re always going to have some bad apples, you see it on television.”

He added: “When you see these shootouts, I can tell you one thing: I don’t want to do it, you don’t want to do it, so we want to thank the police and law enforcement, they’re unbelievable people. A lot of people killed, and in honor of those people and the victims generally let’s have a moment of silence, please.”