Harris and Trump’s proposal on gun control: Here is what you need to know plus how this will possibly affect Americans who possess firearms
With the U.S 2024 presidential election getting closer, the issue of gun control continues to be a burning concern due to vice president Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump’s proposals. The two candidates running for the presidential position have expressed different thoughts on firearm handling, safety and regulation.
Kamala Harris gun control proposal
This year, Harris announced the launching of the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center which is sponsored by the Justice Department. This initiative operated by Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions helps the state and local governments implement “red flag” laws efficiently. Under these laws, individuals who are seen as a danger to themselves or others can temporarily have their firearms taken away from them. Harris’ commitment to such laws started way back in her tenure as California’s Attorney General where she championed the state’s own red flag law making it one of the first states to employ such legislation.
Harris’ gun safety advocacy goes beyond her White House duties. As a U.S Senator, she signed the Disarmed Hate Act, an initiative aimed at stopping violent hate criminals from buying guns. She has been supporting various measures including those aimed at regulating ghost guns, large capacity magazines, 3D printed guns and bump stocks. Up until now, Harris has pushed closure of boyfriend loopholes banning stalkers from buying weapons while calling for restoration of federal assault rifle prohibition.
Donald Trump’s gun control proposal
With regards to gun control, ex-President Donald Trump proposes an approach which is completely different. In his statement to the National Rifle Association (NRA) this year, Trump assured that “no one will lay a finger on your firearms” when he becomes president. He also promised to reverse some of the gun safety measures brought about by the Biden Administration.
Even though Trump has frequently projected himself as a defender of the Second Amendment, some of his moves during his presidency raised eyebrows among advocates who seek to preserve individual rights on gun possession. For instance, after the 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, Trump pushed for the introduction of a federal rule banning bump stocks which is a type of firearm accessory that increases rate of firing. This was an indirect way to avoid getting congressional approval but eventually declared unconstitutional by the supreme court including Trump appointees Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch.
Also as a result of mass shootings in El Paso Texas in 2019, he suggested that red flag laws also known as Extreme Risk Protection Orders should be implemented. This move conflicted with his previous stance on gun rights. At that point, the NRA and other gun right activists were against this move labeling it a threat to Second Amendment freedom.
Despite his occasional deviations, Trump continues to portray himself as an activist of gun rights. In one of his recent campaigns this year, Trump reassured his supporters that he was “the best friend gun owners have ever had in the White House.” He criticized Harris’ stance on gun control and promised that his administration would prioritize protecting gun ownership rights.
What is the differences between Trump and Harris gun control proposal
Harris and Trump express contrasting views on gun control which will have far-reaching consequences on gun policies depending on who emerges as the next U.S President. Should Harris’ approach be successful, it could lead to tougher laws such as wider background checks, increased supervision of weapon sales, including more use of red flag laws.
The result may be a possible reduction in incidents of shooting especially in areas with high gun crime statistics. On the contrary, some critics argue that the proposals could be seen as limiting to persons who possess weapons legally hence may not be accepted by those states where strong cultures for owning arms exist.
Conversely from Trump’s perspective he believes the most important thing is to protect second amendment rights and eliminate existing laws about firearm safety. If his model becomes prominent there would be fewer limitations on gun acquisition thereby probably attracting supporters from both arms right activists and the National Rifle Association (NRA).
However, by loosening rules it may also lead to raising concerns over widened access to firearms hence making it more challenging when trying to deal with issues like shooting incidents and massive murders.
As these elections are drawing near the two opposing views will continue to remain controversial as each side comes with unique results concerning safety and firearm possession.
