Dean Rieck, Executive Director at Buckeye Firearms Association | LinkedIn
Dean Rieck, Executive Director at Buckeye Firearms Association | LinkedIn
The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump offered little on the Second Amendment, a significant issue for voters ahead of the Nov. 5 election.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been described as the most hostile administration toward the firearm industry and gun rights. The vice president's stance on gun control has raised concerns about what her presidency could mean for law-abiding Americans' right to bear arms.
It took over 90 minutes before firearms were mentioned, initiated by the candidates rather than the moderators. ABC News moderator Linsey Davis questioned Harris on her changing positions regarding mandatory gun buybacks, which some view as confiscation.
“You wanted mandatory buybacks for assault weapons. Now your campaign says you don’t,” Davis asked Harris. The vice president did not address this directly but later responded to Trump’s criticism that she would confiscate guns if elected.
“And then this business about taking everyone’s guns away, Tim Walz and I are both gun owners,” Vice President Harris stated. “We’re not taking anyone’s guns away. So stop with the continuous lying about this stuff.”
Harris’ claim of being a gun owner drew skepticism from Second Amendment supporters. Competitive shooter Shermichael Singleton questioned her ownership and training with firearms. Megyn Kelly highlighted Harris' previous support for mandatory buybacks, while Kyle Smith and Clay Travis also challenged her statements on social media.
Kostas Moros pointed out Harris’ influence in California's restrictive handgun laws, and Ashley St. Clair criticized what she saw as hypocrisy in Harris' remarks.
Earlier in the debate, Trump addressed voter concerns about crime, criticizing the Biden-Harris administration’s record on law enforcement. Moderator David Muir attempted to fact-check Trump by citing FBI data suggesting a decrease in violent crime, which Trump disputed by noting incomplete reporting from cities with high crime rates.
As Election Day approaches, there is a call for pro-Second Amendment voters to make their voices heard at the ballot box. Estimates suggest millions of hunters and new firearm owners remain unregistered to vote, presenting a potential influence in a closely contested election.
Republished with permission from NSSF.
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