Bernie Sanders Defends Gun Record, but Progressives Remain Wary

Revered by progressives on most issues, the Vermont senator is trying to get right with anti-gun-violence advocates.

Senator Bernard "Bernie" Sanders, an independent from Vermont and possible presidential candidate, pauses before speaking during an interview in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.
Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Sahil Kapur

July 27, 2015 at 4:54 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Though he's mostly a dream candidate for progressive advocates, Bernie Sanders has an Achilles heel in the Democratic primary: his past opposition to gun control measures and support for several pro-gun bills backed by the National Rifle Association.

The Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate, revered by progressives on most issues, sought to get right with anti-gun-violence advocates Sunday during an interview on NBC's Meet The Press, days after the latest of many mass shootings in the United States, this time by a gunman at two military centers in Chattanooga, Tennessee.