Donald Trump vs Hillary Clinton on gun control – what the US election 2016 candidates have to say

GUN control and the ‘right to bear arms’ is one of the most divisive issues in America.

The United States has more guns per capita than any other nation in the world and is plagued with mass shootings.

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The ‘right to keep and bear Arms’ is the 2nd Amendment of the US constitution – a document which established the country’s national government in 1787.

And the two main political parties are fiercely divided on the issue.

While the Democrats want stricter gun laws, such as background checks and a ban on assault weapons, the Republicans strongly oppose any form of gun control.

Let’s take a look at what Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have to say on this contentious issue.

What is Republican Donald Trump’s stance on gun control?

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Since entering politics, billionaire Trump has been staunchly against any form of gun reform.

Trump insists that mass shooting are the result of a mental health issue which can not be solved by gun control.

In a Republican primary debate in January, the former Apprentice host said: “We have a huge mental health problem in this country.

“The guns don't pull the trigger. It's the people that pull the trigger and we have to find out what is going on.”

However, during a Presidential debate in September, Trump agreed with Hillary Clinton that people who are on a FBI 'watch list’ or a ‘no-fly list’ should not be allowed to buy firearms.

What is Democrat Hillary Clinton’s stance on gun control?

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The former First Lady has far more progressive views on the controversial 2^nd Amendment which she is still broadly in favour of.

When her husband Bill Clinton was President he signed a ten year assault weapons ban which has not been renewed since it ended in 2004.

However, Hillary has vowed to reinstate the ban and also increase background checks on people buying weapons.

She has also promised to challenge powerful gun lobbyists and scrap legislation which protects gun manufacturers from being sued by victims.

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