Vice President Kamala Harris surprised some viewers during a debate with Donald Trump by stating she is a gun owner, countering accusations of wanting to confiscate firearms. Referencing her running mate, she emphasized, “We’re not taking anybody’s guns away.” This is not the first time Harris has mentioned owning a firearm; she shared this information during her presidential campaign in 2019, explaining it was for personal safety due to her background as a career prosecutor. Details about the handgun she owns, which she keeps locked up, were not further disclosed.
In response to Trump’s attempt to portray her as radically liberal, Harris defended herself, refuting claims like plans to defund the police or confiscate guns. She urged Trump to stop spreading falsehoods. Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, Harris’s running mate, has also expressed pride in his gun ownership and marksmanship skills. The contrast in views on gun control was evident, with Republicans often portraying Democrats as a threat to the Second Amendment while Democrats advocate for measures like universal background checks, red flag laws, and bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in the name of public safety.
