Democrat State Party Platforms - Alabama To California

My earlier post explains that I was intrigued to see what the individual state Democrat parties would have to say about the Second Amendment, gun control, and an individual's right to self-defense. I want to get this information out to my readers so that when it comes to midterm elections, they will know exactly where the Democrats officially stand on these issues.

Alabama

The Alabama Democratic Party doesn't as much have a platform as a list of guiding principles. These principles talks about things like progressive taxes, collective bargaining, public education, and the like. The closest it comes to talking about the Second Amendment is this bit on the law and crime:

That the government is of laws and not of men. We condemn any resolution of men's conflicts save through the legal processes. The Democratic Party stands for law and order and for a total and increasing war against crime, for the strengthening of our law enforcement agencies, and for justice under the law.

As I read it, they are for the rule of law and pro-law enforcement with nothing said about gun control.


Alaska

 You might think that Democrats in the 49th State might be more like those in Alabama and less like the national Democrats. You would be wrong as their 2018 Party Platform makes abundantly clear.

Firearms. We support the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear arms. We support responsible gun ownership, and policies and programs to reduce gun violence and accidental gun deaths. This policy should include completed background checks for all gun sales, and education on hunting and weapons safety. We support a rational and safe policy for gun free zones. We support legislative action that would ban the sale to the general public of military assault-style weapons. We support legislation that requires the CDC to collect data on gun related injuries and fatalities. We also support government funded research into gun safety.

Alaska Democrats also think people that are serving time in prison should be allowed to vote. I'm shaking my head over that one except to think they must think prisoners will tend to vote for Democrats.


Arizona

It is not surprising that the Arizona Democrat Party endorses gun control in their latest (2015-2016) party platform. It is after all the party of Gabby Giffords and the influence of her organization is shown in what the platform says about firearms.

Firearms Arizona Democrats believe in effective enforcement of existing laws, strengthening background check systems, and working together to enact commonsense gun safety improvements. Arizona Democrats support gun control legislation that includes registration/background checks for every person who purchases a firearm in any venue. We support a ban on assault weapons and denial of gun purchases to those with a history of mental illness, domestic violence, or criminal acts.

As an aside, their featured speaker at the Hall of Fame Dinner will be Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) which tells me everything I need to know.


Arkansas

The platform of the Democratic Party of Arkansas makes no mention of firearms, the Second Amendment, background checks, or anything else firearm related. I find that refreshing and I even agree with them that the "War of Drugs" has been a failure.


California

It should surprise no one that the proposed platform for the California Democrat Party has a bulleted (no pun intended) list of gun control items. They include this under their "National Security" section of the platform which is less about national security than about diminishing the military.

• Support a common-sense ban on deadly assault weapons and devices used to turn rifles into automatic weapons such as bump-stocks;
• Support the expansion of universal background checks;
• Support keeping firearms out of dangerous hands by expanding firearm prohibitions to those who, based on past behavior or condition, are deemed at risk of acts of violence; and promote policies and programs to limit access to firearms by children, suicidal persons, and those in crisis;
• Work to deter gun trafficking, “straw purchasing,” and illegal guns by identifying, reforming, or shutting down "bad apple" gun dealers in California;
• Support California’s strong gun laws by providing the necessary resources and funding for implementation, training, and enforcement of those laws, including the Armed Prohibited Persons System Program, the Gun Violence Restraining Order, the tracing of all crime guns, and the investigation of all denied firearm purchasers;
• Protect California’s strong gun laws from court challenges and federal intrusion, including defeating forced concealed carry reciprocity and any removal of silencers from current regulations;

I found it amusing that they spoke of the "fundamental human right of free speech" in their communications section while promoting the enforcement of the state's gun laws that actually suppressed speech. That suppression of speech involving gun shop advertising of handguns was found unconstitutional earlier this month in the case of Tracy Rifle and Pistol v. Becerra.

I will publish the next five states, Colorado through Georgia, tomorrow.