Harris, Walz Call For Assault Weapons Ban
The 2024 election season is in full swing, and things are heating up on the campaign trail. Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, made their first joint appearance in Philadelphia, where they put a major focus on gun control, particularly the push to ban AR-15s and other firearms often referred to as “assault weapons” by Democrats.
Harris didn’t waste any time during the rally, proudly declaring, “I am officially the [Democrat] nominee for President of the United States.” With Walz standing right behind her, the two laid out their vision for tackling gun violence in America, with a particular emphasis on what they see as "reasonable gun safety laws."
Now, let’s break down what they’re proposing. Harris highlighted that Walz, despite being a gun owner himself, has been a strong advocate for gun control measures during his time as governor of Minnesota. She praised his efforts and promised that if they win in November, they’ll work together to pass three key gun control policies: universal background checks, red flag laws, and an assault weapons ban.
Universal background checks would require all firearm sales, including private sales and transfers, to go through a background check. This idea has been a cornerstone of the Democratic platform on gun control for years. Red flag laws, on the other hand, would allow authorities to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to be a threat to themselves or others. And then there’s the assault weapons ban—a highly controversial topic that would specifically target firearms like the AR-15.
This isn’t the first time Harris has pushed for these measures. In fact, she and President Joe Biden have been advocating for these exact policies in Washington, D.C., for years. But what’s interesting here is how Harris is now tying her campaign closely to these issues, signaling that gun control will be a central theme in her bid for the presidency.
BREAKING
For the first time, Tim Walz and Kamala Harris affirm their joint support for:
❌ firearm registration checks
❌ gun confiscation laws
❌ banning commonly owned firearms pic.twitter.com/IT5ml6qzwA— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) August 6, 2024
Governor Walz is fully on board with this agenda, which isn’t surprising given his record. As governor, he’s already implemented stricter gun laws in Minnesota, including expanded background checks and measures aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of those deemed dangerous. His alignment with Harris on this issue suggests that the Democratic ticket is doubling down on gun control as a key part of their platform.
But what does this mean in the larger context? Well, according to data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, there are over 28 million AR and AK-style rifles currently in circulation. That’s a significant number, and any attempt to ban these firearms is likely to face stiff resistance from gun rights advocates and organizations like the NRA.
The rally in Philadelphia, with its focus on gun control, is sure to energize both supporters and opponents of these measures. For Democrats, it’s a clear signal that they’re serious about tackling gun violence. But for many gun owners and Second Amendment advocates, it’s likely to be seen as an attack on their rights.