Ben Carson’s gun comments highlight free-wheeling style

In this Oct. 9, 2015 photo, Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson speaks at a luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington. In the past week, Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson has suggested the Holocaust wouldn't have happened if Jews in Europe were better armed, said gun control is a bigger tragedy than a bullet-riddled body and that the best way to confront a mass shooter is to rush the gunman. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) In this Oct. 9, 2015 photo, Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson speaks at a luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington. In the past week, Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson has suggested the Holocaust wouldn't have happened if Jews in Europe were better armed, said gun control is a bigger tragedy than a bullet-riddled body and that the best way to confront a mass shooter is to rush the gunman. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

By Associated Press October 12, 2015 1 min read

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) – Republican Ben Carson has drawn no shortage of criticism for his talk about guns after the mass shooting in Oregon that killed nine college students.

But Carson’s commentary on gun policy is emblematic of his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

The retired neurosurgeon is a political rookie who prefers to muse on the news of the day and make academic arguments, rather than offer a clear picture of what policies he’d pursue if elected.

The freewheeling approach has put Carson at the top of many preference polls.

Yet some Republicans question how long he will be able to stick with his style, even in an election year with such high discontent among conservatives with anyone in elected office.