Trump and Harris’ plans on gun control for 2024 election
Gun control has always been a contentious issue in American politics, and it has taken center stage in the 2024 presidential election. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have differing views on guns, with Trump accusing Harris of wanting to confiscate firearms, a claim she vehemently denies. Let’s take a closer look at their stances and policy plans regarding gun control in America.
Kamala Harris’ Stance on Guns
Harris has consistently expressed her support for the Second Amendment and even revealed during the September 10 debate with Trump that she owns a firearm. As a former career prosecutor, she stated, “I own a gun for probably the reason a lot of people do — for personal safety.” Harris also confirmed in a recent interview with 60 Minutes that she owns a Glock and has experience shooting it at a range.
Overseeing the White House Office of Gun Violence and Prevention, established by the Biden administration in 2023, Harris is dedicated to finding ways to address the issue of gun violence, especially in light of congressional inaction on stricter gun control laws. The Biden administration’s enactment of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022 represented a significant step towards enhancing gun safety regulations, including background check enhancements, funding for mental health services, and closing loopholes to prevent convicted domestic abusers from purchasing firearms.
Kamala Harris’ policy plans on guns include plans to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, implement universal background checks, and support red flag laws to keep guns away from dangerous individuals. Despite her support for the Second Amendment, Harris advocates for stronger gun control measures and vows to take executive action on guns if elected.
Donald Trump’s Stance on Guns
Trump is a firm believer in the constitutional right to bear arms and has consistently defended law-abiding gun owners. His relationship with the National Rifle Association (NRA) has been strong, receiving their endorsement in May and speaking at their annual conventions. Notably, shortly after taking office in 2017, Trump reversed an Obama-era regulation that restricted individuals with mental illnesses from buying firearms.
In response to the Parkland mass shooting in 2018, Trump proposed bonuses for teachers proficient in firearm handling and supported concealed carry permits for teachers and retired military personnel on school grounds. After the Las Vegas shooting in 2017, his administration banned bump stocks, devices that increase the firing rate of semi-automatic weapons, although the ban was later overturned by the Supreme Court.
Trump’s campaign promises to terminate what they deem as attacks on law-abiding gun owners by the Harris-Biden administration and to uphold the right to bear arms. While Trump has not articulated specific policy proposals on guns during his campaign, he has reassured his supporters that he will protect their firearms if re-elected.
Both Harris and Trump have outlined their visions for gun control in America, each offering distinct approaches to addressing the ongoing issue of gun violence in the country. As the 2024 presidential election unfolds, the debate over gun control continues to play a critical role in shaping the future of firearms regulation in the United States.
