Kamala Harris Highlights Her Gun Ownership to Address Firearm Issues
Kamala Harris is drawing attention to a lesser-known part of her background: her ownership of a gun. This move comes as she tackles the topic of gun control. Harris supports universal background checks, “red flag” laws, and banning assault weapons, but some critics are focusing on her previous support for a mandatory buyback of semi-automatic rifles.
During a recent debate, Donald Trump claimed that Harris would “confiscate everybody’s gun” if elected. In response, Harris clarified that both she and her running mate, Tim Walz, own guns, asserting, “We’re not taking anyone’s guns away.”
Gun control is a hot topic in US politics but has been overshadowed by other issues in this election. The debate on Tuesday marked the first time this issue was discussed in a 2024 debate. Harris, who no longer supports a federal program to collect AR-15s and other assault-style weapons, reiterated her commitment to gun safety measures at a rally in North Carolina.
Gun buyback programs, which Harris supported in 2019, aim to remove assault weapons from the streets. While these programs have been expensive and not always effective, they are credited with reducing gun violence in Australia after a major shooting in 1996.
Harris, a former prosecutor and attorney general, has argued that there are practical solutions to gun violence without stripping away Second Amendment rights. Her experience as a gun owner and her position on gun control are intended to show that she understands both public safety and individual rights.
In contrast, her running mate, Tim Walz, is known for his background in hunting and firearms, though he now supports stricter gun regulations. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has praised himself as a strong supporter of gun rights, even as he faced legal issues involving his own firearms.
Overall, Harris’s focus on her gun ownership is part of a broader strategy to address gun violence while navigating the complex landscape of American firearm politics.
BBC provided this summary.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3vxvzg34qwo