HARRISBURG, Pa. – Former President Donald Trump assured thousands of National Rifle Association (NRA) members that their guns would be safe if he returned to the White House. Speaking at the NRA’s Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pa., Trump reminded attendees of his commitment to protecting the rights of gun owners.
During my four years, nothing happened. And there was a lot of pressure on me because of guns. We didn’t do anything. We have not given in, Trump declared.
Presenting himself as the ultimate advocate for gun owners, Trump pledged to continue safeguarding the Second Amendment, even as the nation grapples with a rise in gun violence and mass shootings that have claimed over 3,000 lives since 2006.
Your Second Amendment will always be safe with me as president, Trump assured the crowd.
The issue of gun rights is a critical one for both Republicans and Democrats, as well as young voters who have grown up with active shooter drills and witnessed numerous school shootings in recent years. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 people dead, will mark its sixth anniversary next week.
While Trump has faced criticism for his handling of mass shootings, he has at times expressed support for strengthening gun laws, only to backtrack on his promises. After a meeting with survivors and families of the Parkland shooting, Trump vowed to be tough on background checks but later appeared to side with the NRA, expressing limited support for changes to the federal background check system.
One notable action taken by Trump’s administration was the ban on bump stocks, accessories that enable semi-automatic weapons to fire like machine guns. This ban came as a response to the Las Vegas mass shooting in October 2017.
In response to Trump’s remarks at the NRA event, TJ Ducklo, a spokesman for President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, accused Trump of pandering to the gun lobby. Ducklo argued that allowing Trump back into the Oval Office would result in more suffering and loss of life for the American people.
Trump’s appearance at the NRA event coincided with his dominance in the race for the Republican nomination, particularly as it shifted to South Carolina. The state’s primary on February 24th could be the last opportunity for Trump’s latest rival, Nikki Haley, to challenge his path to the nomination. Both Trump and Haley have scheduled campaign events in South Carolina over the weekend.
Trump’s successful showing in Nevada, where he faced no competition, has only bolstered his campaign. Additionally, recent events, such as a Supreme Court hearing where attempts to exclude him from the 2024 ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause were questioned, have worked in Trump’s favor. Furthermore, a highly critical report released by special counsel Robert Hur on President Biden’s handling of classified information may blunt Biden’s ability to criticize Trump’s actions in this regard.
As for the NRA, the organization has faced internal struggles, financial difficulties, and a decrease in membership. Its long-time CEO Wayne LaPierre even resigned last month before facing trial over allegations of improper spending and personal enrichment. The NRA’s attempts to relocate its incorporation to Texas were rejected by a judge.
Overall, Trump’s speech at the NRA event showcased his commitment to gun rights and emphasized his status as the ultimate ally for gun owners. As the race for the Republican nomination continues, Trump hopes to maintain his dominance and secure a resounding victory in South Carolina that could effectively deter Nikki Haley’s chances.
