Stacey Abrams, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Georgia, repeatedly refused to comment Sunday morning on CNN about a 2016 bill she co-sponsored that allows the confiscation of weapons.

During her appearance on “State of the Union,” Abrams (shown above left) also immediately blamed her opponent, Republican Brian Kemp (above right), upon learning of an investigation into the Democrats’ alleged tampering with the voter registration system.

Close

“I believe that we have to ban assault weapons in the state of Georgia,” said Abrams finally, after repeatedly ducking host Jake Tapper’s pointed questions about whether or not she supports the gun confiscation aspect of a bill she co-sponsored in 2016.

Introduced that year by Abrams and five other co-sponsors, House Bill 731 would allow state authorities to confiscate “assault weapons” such as AR-15s — the most popular rifle in America — from current, law-abiding gun owners in the state.

When Tapper pointed out that a co-sponsor of that bill said the legislation would require current owners to “turn their guns in,” Abrams also waffled, saying the legislation introduced was merely “the beginning of a conversation.”

The Democratic candidate mentioned the possibility of a “buy back” approach to encouraging compliance with such a ban, if the bill were to pass.

“Just to be clear,” asked Tapper, “you don’t support the actual legislation — you just support having a conversation about it?”

And for a third time, a squirming Abrams opted out of clarity.

“No. What I’ve said is legislation, and the state legislature, is about starting the conversation.”

Moving away, then, from the gun confiscation question, Tapper informed Abrams of a recently announced investigation by the Georgia secretary of state’s office into alleged cyber crimes committed by the Democratic Party of Georgia. The allegations involve attempted hacking into the state’s voter registration system.

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

Though she had not heard of the investigation until sitting for the interview, Abrams blamed Kemp, her Republican opponent, who is currently Georgia’s secretary of state.

“I’ve heard nothing about it,” said Abrams. “My reaction would be that this is a desperate attempt on the part of my opponent to distract people,” she added.

“[Kemp] is part of a nationwide system of voter suppression that will not work in this election,” she added.

She also said to Tapper, “He’s wrong,” about President Donald Trump’s assertion that she is unqualified for the position. Abrams added that Trump’s comments about her qualifications were not necessarily “grounded in reality” due to “desperation.”

Abrams cited her academic background and work history as a tax attorney, a business professional, and a writer as evidence that she is qualified to assume her state’s highest elected office.

“Georgia does not have the financial capacity to provide that type of coverage,” she also said about the notion of providing Medicare for All.

Instead, Abrams called for sweeping expansion of Medicaid in Georgia.

Abrams denied that she intends to raise taxes on any Georgia families to cover the costs associated with her proposed $300 million Medicaid expansion, $150 million earned income tax credit, and a $40 million renewable energy plan.

“I do not intend to raise taxes,” said Abrams.

“All of those programs can be done under the current budget in the state of Georgia.”

Share your thoughts below.

Michele Blood is a Flemington, New Jersey-based freelance writer and regular contributor to LifeZette.