change in link to creationism Political positions Main article Political positions of Sarah Palin See also Public image and reception of Sarah Palin Palin has been a registered Republican since 1982 and has described the Republican Party platform as the right agenda for America 188 Palin is a social conservative A lifetime member of the National Rifle Association NRA she believes the right to bear arms includes handgun possession and is against a ban on semi automatic assault weapons 189 She has supported gun safety education for youth 190 She supports capital punishment 191 In a 2006 gubernatorial debate responding to a question asking the candidates whether they would support teaching creationism in public schools Palin stated that she supported teaching both creationism and evolution Shortly after that debate however Palin said in an interview that she had only meant to say she supports allowing the discussion of in public schools the link to creatonism is on the word with the signs surrounding it should be placed at the word with the signs surrounding