According to Fox News, Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprising revelation during the presidential debate in Philadelphia, stating that both she and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are gun owners.

This announcement came in response to accusations from Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump. Harris's statement has sparked discussions on social media, given her previous support for stricter gun control measures.

During the debate, Trump accused Harris of having plans to defund the police and confiscate guns. In response, Harris firmly stated:

Tim Walz and I are both gun owners. We're not taking anybody's guns away. So stop with the continuous lying about this stuff.

Harris's Evolving Stance On Gun Control

Harris's gun ownership revelation has drawn attention to her changing position on gun control. In 2019, while campaigning for president, Harris advocated for stricter gun control measures, including banning assault weapons and implementing universal background checks.

During her previous campaign, Harris expressed support for a mandatory buyback program for assault weapons. She stated at the time, "We have to have a buyback program. And I support a mandatory buyback program." This stance was notably different from her recent debate statement.

Harris, who previously served as San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general, has long been involved in discussions surrounding gun control and public safety.

In 2019, she explained her personal gun ownership, saying, "I am a gun owner, and I own a gun for probably the reason a lot of people do – for personal safety. I was a career prosecutor."

Recent Gun Control Advocacy And Debate Response

Despite her recent revelation about gun ownership, Harris has continued to advocate for gun control measures.

On September 6, 2024, just days before the debate, she wrote on social media, "Together, we passed the first bipartisan law addressing gun violence prevention in nearly 30 years, but we have more work to do. We must pass an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, and red flag laws."

During the debate, Harris aimed to clarify her position on gun ownership and Second Amendment rights. Her statement about being a gun owner alongside Governor Walz appeared to be an attempt to appeal to a broader range of voters while maintaining her stance on gun violence prevention.

Governor Walz echoed Harris's sentiment on social media following the debate, stating, "Kamala Harris and I are both gun owners. We're not going to take away your Second Amendment rights — we're going to prevent your kids from getting shot at school." This message reinforces their commitment to balancing gun ownership rights with public safety concerns.

Public Reaction And Political Implications

The revelation of Harris's gun ownership has elicited mixed reactions on social media.

Some users expressed surprise, questioning when Harris had previously discussed her gun ownership. Others pointed out the apparent contradiction between her current stance and her earlier support for mandatory buyback programs.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) responded to Harris's debate statement, sharing clips of her previous comments on gun control and buyback programs. The organization labeled Harris "an existential threat to the Second Amendment" despite her recent claims of supporting gun ownership rights.

This development in the presidential campaign highlights the complex and often contentious nature of gun control debates in American politics.

Harris's attempt to position herself as both a gun owner and an advocate for stricter gun laws reflects the challenging balance many politicians try to strike on this issue.

The debate exchange and subsequent discussions underscore the ongoing national conversation about gun rights, public safety, and the interpretation of the Second Amendment.

Conclusion

Vice President Harris's revelation about her gun ownership, coupled with her continued advocacy for gun control measures, presents a nuanced position in the ongoing debate. Her statement during the presidential debate aimed to counter accusations of extreme anti-gun stances while maintaining support for stricter regulations. This development adds another layer to the complex discourse surrounding gun rights and gun control in American politics, potentially influencing voter perceptions as the election approaches.