WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Presidential candidates Vice President Al Gore (D) and Texas Gov. George W. Bush (R) clashed over gun-control policies in the second presidential debate, held last night at Wake Forest University.
Gore stressed the need for new gun-control policies to prevent accidents and murders caused by guns. "There are too many guns in the hands of children and criminals," Gore said.
Gore proposed a new process for registering gun owners by issuing each person a photo ID. This would help law enforcement officials keep track of guns that may be involved in criminal activities, he said.
But Bush said he believes this type of registration law would not accomplish its intended purpose.
"The only people who are going to register are law-abiding citizens," Bush said. "The criminal is not going to show up and say 'Hey, give me my ID card.'"
Although both candidates agreed on aspects of gun control such as instant background checks at gun shows and trigger safety locks, they disagreed on the manner in which such laws should be implemented.
Gore said he believes present laws and regulations are not sufficient to curb the gun-control problem.
"Sensible gun-safety measures are warranted now," Gore said.
But Bush said he wants to see stricter enforcement of gun-control laws already on the books, as he has done in Texas.
Both candidates also locked horns over the role of the military in foreign policy.
Bush said the military should be sent into other nations when it is in the best interest of the United States. He cited the recent conflict with former Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosovic as an appropriate use of military force.
But he cautioned that the United States "cannot be all things to all people" and should only participate in international conflicts and not "nation-building" missions.
Gore said he believes the United States should actively use its power to aid other nations in the world. "Like it or not, the United States is now the natural leader of the world and should set an example for the rest of the world to follow," Gore said.
Last night marked the first time a roundtable discussion format has been used in a presidential debate. Normally, the debates are held in a more formal setting.
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