With the 2020 Democratic presidential debates in full swing, gun violence prevention experts want mo

With the 2020 Democratic presidential debates in full swing, gun violence prevention experts want moderators of upcoming debates to ask candidates fact-based questions about firearm policy. 

In the past, gun safety platforms have failed to break through during both primary and general presidential debates. In this election cycle, moderator Chuck Todd did bring up gun safety during the first democratic presidential primary debate on June 26, but he adopted a right-wing talking point that strengthening gun laws would require confiscation of people’s privately owned firearms, serving as an example of how not to question the candidates about their platforms. 

Media Matters asked several gun safety experts how they’d like to see future debate moderators tackle questions about gun policy—here are some of their responses.