

Elizabeth Warren always has a plan, but during the first round of Democratic debates in June, she was surprisingly cautious about her strategy to eliminate gun violence. To be fair, there weren't many questions asked on the topic to begin with—even though 100 Americans are killed every single day in gun-related deaths—but Warren's answers were nonetheless weaker than the previous statements of her competitors, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA).
"Gun violence is a national health emergency in this country. We need to treat it like that. We can do the things that are sensible," Warren said in the debate held in Miami, Florida, on June 26. "We can do universal background checks, we can ban weapons of war, but we can also double down on the research and find out what really works."
When NBC's Chuck Todd, one of the debate's moderators, asked if the federal government needs to figure out a way to get the guns already out there off the streets, Warren circled back to her original statement and said that we need to treat [gun violence] as a "serious research problem." She then said how guns in the hands of collectors who haven't fired them are different from guns that are sold and turned over quickly.
Warren says she wants to treat gun violence as a national health emergency: "We can do universal background checks, we can ban the weapons of war, but we can also double down on the research and find out what really works." #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/4PKUQq3UqqJune 27, 2019
It's a safe approach for Warren, but it's the same soundbite Americans have been hearing over and over again. Booker, on the other hand, has already proposed a national licensing program for gun owners, which includes an interview and safety training. Harris declared that she would sign an executive order if Congress didn't pass common-sense gun legislation within the first 100 days of her presidency, which includes "universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, and the repeal of the NRA’s corporate gun manufacturer and dealer immunity bill," according to her website.
Still, Warren's support of common-sense gun legislation shouldn't be discredited (she also supports the work of Moms Demand Action!)—her plan is just a bit weaker than expected. Her past tweets have, however, proved that she's made gun violence a key issue throughout her career, long before she decided to run for president:
June 2015: "I’m #wearingorange for National Gun Violence Awareness Day. We owe it to our kids to stop the violence."
I’m #wearingorange for National Gun Violence Awareness Day. We owe it to our kids to stop the violence. pic.twitter.com/n3V6e6evZLJune 2, 2015
October 2015: "I support @SenBlumenthal’s Background Check Completion Act. It's time to fix our broken gun background check system."
I support @SenBlumenthal’s Background Check Completion Act. It's time to fix our broken gun background check system. pic.twitter.com/zqrNqlQ5AsOctober 28, 2015
June 2016: "Ashamed & disgusted that the Senate works for the @NRA & not the majority of Americans who support basic solutions to stop gun violence."
Ashamed & disgusted that the Senate works for the @NRA & not the majority of Americans who support basic solutions to stop gun violence.June 20, 2016
June 2016: "Nowhere I'd rather spend my bday than the House floor w/ @repjohnlewis for gun control. #NoBillNoBreak #goodtrouble"
Nowhere I'd rather spend my bday than the House floor w/ @repjohnlewis for gun control. #NoBillNoBreak #goodtrouble pic.twitter.com/nTzrO9c0FkJune 22, 2016
June 2016: "The @HouseGOP may run from a vote for common-sense gun measures, but they can’t hide. #NoBillNoBreak"
The @HouseGOP may run from a vote for common-sense gun measures, but they can’t hide. #NoBillNoBreak pic.twitter.com/TMnjPmJClSJune 22, 2016
October 2017: "Tragedies like Las Vegas have happened too many times. We need to have the conversation about how to stop gun violence. We need it NOW."
Tragedies like Las Vegas have happened too many times. We need to have the conversation about how to stop gun violence. We need it NOW.October 2, 2017
March 2018: "These kids are leading the charge against gun violence – and I’m proud to be here fighting alongside them. #NationalWalkOutDay"
These kids are leading the charge against gun violence – and I’m proud to be here fighting alongside them. #NationalWalkOutDay pic.twitter.com/U7fcNaQhhiMarch 14, 2018
February 2019: "A year after the Parkland Shooting, Congress still hasn’t passed strong legislation to address gun violence. But I’m going to keep fighting – along with the MSD survivors and students across the country who are working to #EndGunViolence. Together, we will make change."
A year after the Parkland Shooting, Congress still hasn’t passed strong legislation to address gun violence. But I’m going to keep fighting – along with the MSD survivors and students across the country who are working to #EndGunViolence. Together, we will make change. pic.twitter.com/cc0c7k2u1ZFebruary 14, 2019
June 2019: "On National Gun Violence Awareness Day, it’s time for the Senate to finally show some political courage & vote on common-sense gun safety laws to protect our kids & grandkids. We’re here to work for the people, not the @NRA. #wearorange"
On National Gun Violence Awareness Day, it’s time for the Senate to finally show some political courage & vote on common-sense gun safety laws to protect our kids & grandkids. We’re here to work for the people, not the @NRA. #wearorange pic.twitter.com/TsxxWomBbAJune 7, 2019
June 2019: "Our kids shouldn’t have to go to school every day fearing for their lives. I’m fighting for common-sense gun reform, including banning assault weapons, preventing domestic abusers from legally obtaining guns, and ending the gun show loophole."
Our kids shouldn’t have to go to school every day fearing for their lives. I’m fighting for common-sense gun reform, including banning assault weapons, preventing domestic abusers from legally obtaining guns, and ending the gun show loophole. pic.twitter.com/3NiuvW3FwhJune 29, 2019
Keeping all of this in mind, Warren's lack of a detailed strategy could be a strategy in itself. At the end of the day, as we inch closer and closer to November 3, 2020, the candidate who appeals to the largest national audience is going to be in the Oval Office. Perhaps we have to wait until Warren can call 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home to see a direct plan on how she's going to eliminate gun violence once and for all.
Until the next debates.
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Rachel Epstein is an editor at Marie Claire, where she writes and edits culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also manages the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game, finding a new coffee shop, or analyzing your cousin's birth chart—in no particular order.
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