Trump Hits Harris on Guns, Says Shooting Didn’t Change His View on AR-15s

Former President Donald Trump mentioned his place on AR-15s hasn’t modified after a would-be murderer shot him with one and criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’s place on weapons throughout a prolonged press convention.

On Thursday, the Republican nominee spoke concerning the 2024 marketing campaign to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort. For the primary time since he was shot, he was requested about whether or not his view on the rifle utilized by the attacker had modified and responded, “It didn’t.” He then went on to assault the Democratic nominee by claiming she helps confiscating firearms.

“She needs to remove everybody’s gun,” Trump mentioned. “Should you take away weapons… can’t do it as a result of folks want weapons for defense.”

The Harris Marketing campaign didn’t reply to a request for remark. Nonetheless, Harris has not known as for confiscation of all firearms. However she had beforehand pushed for a compulsory buyback of so-called assault weapons, which incorporates common firearms just like the AR-15, earlier than her marketing campaign walked that place again late final month.

“The VP is not going to push for a compulsory purchase again as president,” Lauren Hitt, a Harris spokesperson, instructed The Reload in July. Harris herself has not addressed the place change, and her marketing campaign didn’t reply to questions on why she would now not push for a compulsory buyback. She has maintained assist for banning the sale of AR-15s and comparable firearms in addition to implementing common background checks and purple flag legal guidelines, although.

Trump doubled down on his gun claims later within the press convention. He touted Chicago’s crime charge as proof strict gun legal guidelines don’t work and claimed he utterly protected gun rights whereas in workplace.

“After I was president, I completely protected the weapons, and I believe it’s crucial,” Trump mentioned. “When the unhealthy man walks in with a gun, you gotta have a way of defending your self.”

The press convention was the primary time Trump sought to distinguish himself from Harris on weapons since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Whereas Harris has continued Biden’s give attention to gun management since taking the reigns, Republicans have de-emphasized the problem. The occasion stripped a collection of gun-rights guarantees from its platform, the Republican Nationwide Conference didn’t function a gun-rights speaker, and Trump snubbed the problem altogether throughout his record-long acceptance speech. Trump’s Thursday feedback may sign he plans to re-commit to actively courting gun voters now that the race has tightened.

Trump additionally touted his shut relationship with the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation through the press convention.

“The NRA endorsed me very powerfully each time I ran,” he mentioned. “They gave me the strongest of endorsements.”

He didn’t make any particular coverage guarantees throughout his feedback, however Trump did say he believes gun rights need to be secured.

“Our Second Modification is a vital proper, and it must be protected,” he mentioned.