Vice President Kamala Harris faced tough questions at a recent event with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Philadelphia, where she struggled to provide concrete answers on how to address the widespread problem of handgun violence in the U.S. Despite being pressed on the fact that handguns are responsible for 59% of murders nationwide, Harris repeatedly deflected back to her well-worn stance on banning assault weapons.
Harris, a vocal advocate for an assault weapons ban, focused much of her response on a familiar refrain: the need to outlaw guns like the AR-15 and AK-47. “Assault weapons are designed to kill a lot of human beings quickly,” Harris said, but failed to explain how banning such weapons would tackle the much larger issue of handgun-related homicides, which continue to plague American cities.
When moderator Tonya Mosley pressed Harris on this, pointing out that handguns are the primary tool of violent crime, the Vice President dodged the direct question and shifted gears to discuss her opposition to the “gun show loophole”—an issue Harris has long championed. She recalled protesting at a gun show 10-15 years ago, emphasizing the need for stricter background checks. However, this answer fell short of addressing how to reduce the sheer number of handguns already circulating illegally and being used in crimes.
Harris pivoted to another familiar talking point: mental health. She cited recent Biden administration efforts to put more mental health professionals in schools as part of a broader effort to curb gun violence. Yet, this sidestep did little to reassure critics that her policies would effectively reduce handgun-related murders.
For a pro-gun, well-informed audience, Harris’ vague responses on handgun violence signal a lack of focus on the real issue at hand. While her commitment to banning assault weapons remains firm, many Second Amendment advocates point out that such a ban addresses only a small fraction of gun crimes in America. The daily reality of handgun violence, which devastates blue Democrat-controlled cities and communities across the nation, was largely glossed over.
Harris also acknowledged being a gun owner herself, a fact she conveniently shared during a debate, but yet continued to push for increased restrictions on firearm purchases.
Despite her assurances that she’s not out to “take anyone’s guns,” her support for policies like universal background checks, gun bans, and gun buybacks raises concerns among American gun owners about her true intentions.
Congress must renew the assault weapons ban. pic.twitter.com/S2GoeAbVpu
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 14, 2024
Ultimately, the Vice President’s reluctance to engage directly with the issue of handgun violence left many questions unanswered. With handguns at the center of America’s gun violence problem, Harris’ fixation on assault weapons and mental health initiatives may come across as a political distraction rather than a genuine attempt to solve the problem.
Her remarks highlight the growing divide between those calling for gun control and those who believe the solution lies in protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners while addressing the root causes of crime.
“… the fact that handguns are responsible for 59% of murders nationwide…”
You might want to rephrase that. Handguns are not responsible for anything.
isn’t the abuse of congress and it’s powers an assault weapon too?
I’m sure that these were similar arguments made by the ChiComs when they took over China! 75+million murdered Chinese citizens later, is educational material that should be taught in the schools!
All of my weapons are well behaved.. Even my mother approves..
who knows what this broads problem is…
she’s a puppet , just like Joe is.
Handgun violence? BS!
I want someone to ask Harris what kind of gun she owns and when the last time was that she went to the range. I bet she can’t answer either question.
Hee haw Harris is just trying to find excuses to ban all guns shows. Even the kkklintons wanted to ban gun shows. The kkklintons made outrageous claims that the mob ran gun shows and sold semi loads of handguns to gangs. What nonsense. At the gun shows, the promoter would have off duty police as security and checking in guns as they were brought into the gun show. It was families attending the gun shows But the far leftist gun banning politicians don’t want the public to know that. The far leftist gun banning politicians want to scare the public… Read more »
OH, common now, what are you doing telling the truth, shame on you. If the left cant lie and put the fear of who ever it is but God in front of them, how else are the going to manipulate the cool aide drinking mass of sheeple. Be fair now. LOL
Sarcasm.
Trump 2024
Yes, a vendor must do a background check, but does a “private sale” require the same BGC by a licensed firearms vendor if buyer and seller meet at the show, agree on price, and a weapon changes hands?
I live in Montana where nearly everyone carries guns. But if you use profane language in public and someone complains to the cops, you can be arrested for a misdemeanor. And the cops here are pretty board. But the cops can care less if you have an AR-15 or AK 47 on the front seat of your rig~!