As disgraced former Republican President Donald Trump dodges literal bullets, it remains to be seen whether he’ll reconsider his stance on gun control, double down on his ineffectual tough-guy rhetoric, or just end up suggesting more bulletproof vests as a solution.
As America grapples with an escalating gun violence crisis and persistent public safety concerns, the policies of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and the GOP contender, Trump, offer a stark contrast in the presidential election.
Harris, with her record as Attorney General and District Attorney in California, and Trump, whose tenure in the White House saw a sharp rise in violence, embody fundamentally different approaches to handling these critical issues.
During Trump’s presidency, the U.S. witnessed a troubling rise in violence. The number of homicides surged by nearly 30% from 2019 to 2020, a spike that many attribute to a confluence of factors, including the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest.
Trump’s approach to gun violence and public safety was marked by a series of controversial policies and rhetoric that arguably exacerbated the problem rather than addressing it effectively.
Trump’s administration championed the deregulation of firearm sales, including easing restrictions on the sale of silencers and pushing for national concealed carry reciprocity.
These measures, which critics argue made it easier for dangerous individuals to obtain and carry firearms, were paired with a dismissive attitude toward the need for more robust gun control. Trump’s rhetoric often stoked division, framing law enforcement as under siege and disregarding calls for more comprehensive gun control measures.
In Trump’s view, addressing crime often meant a heavy-handed approach, with a focus on increasing police funding and supporting “law and order” initiatives without significant reforms.
His administration’s stance on policing frequently ignored systemic issues and was criticized for prioritizing punitive measures over preventive strategies and community support.
In contrast, Kamala Harris’s tenure as California Attorney General and San Francisco District Attorney paints a picture of a more nuanced approach to public safety and gun violence. Harris’s record demonstrates a commitment to both enforcing laws and pursuing reforms aimed at reducing violence and improving community relations with law enforcement.
Harris surprised some viewers during her debate with Trump when she said that she’s a gun owner, raising the fact to counter her Republican opponent’s false accusation that she wants to confiscate firearms.
“Tim Walz and I are both gun owners,” Harris said, referencing her running mate. “We’re not taking anybody’s guns away.”
As Attorney General, Harris implemented measures to tackle gun violence through a combination of strict enforcement and innovative programs. She championed the use of California’s robust gun database to track illegal firearm possession and to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining guns.
Her office worked to implement a comprehensive gun violence restraining order system, which allowed courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others.
Harris’s approach also included a focus on addressing root causes of violence. Her efforts extended beyond mere enforcement; she supported community-based violence prevention programs and initiatives aimed at addressing social and economic factors contributing to crime.
Harris’s record includes substantial investment in programs designed to support at-risk youth and communities affected by violence, reflecting a belief in prevention over punishment.
In law enforcement, Harris advocated for greater accountability and transparency. Her tenure saw the introduction of policies aimed at reducing racial disparities in the criminal justice system and improving police-community relations. Harris’s emphasis on reform was coupled with a pragmatic approach to law enforcement, seeking to balance effective policing with the protection of civil liberties.
During Donald Trump’s presidency from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021, the United States experienced several high-profile school shootings that drew national attention but no legislative action on gun control and public safety occurred.
During Trump’s presidency, the most devastating school shootings included the Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida (2018), the Santa Fe High School attack in Santa Fe, Texas (2018), the Great Mills High School shooting in Great Mills, Maryland (2018), and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte shooting (2019).
After former student, Nikolas Cruz, entered Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018, and opened fire, killing 17 people and injuring 17 others in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history a national movement for gun control was led by teenaged survivors, culminating in the March for Our Lives rally.
“Guns are the leading cause of death for young people. Trump wants to keep it that way. We endorsed Kamala for President to change that,” said March for Our Lives. “Vice President Harris outlined a bold plan to tackle gun violence from every angle—demanding action from Congress and using the power of the presidency to fight for our lives.”
Despite the high-profile shootings, the Trump administration’s response was characterized by a mix of public sympathy, calls for increased school security, and a promise to support law enforcement, but lacked significant federal legislative action on gun control.
The National Rifle Association‘s Political Victory Fund, which first endorsed Trump in May of 2016, announced its endorsement of the Republican NRA Life Member for re-election to a second term at the 2024 NRA annual meeting in Dallas, Texas.
A coalition of gun safety groups that announced their endorsement of Harris include the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and Team ENOUGH, Community Justice Action Fund, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and its grassroots networks Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, GIFFORDS, Newtown Action Alliance and Jr Newtown Action Alliance.
“Vice President Kamala Harris has helped lead the strongest gun safety administration in American history and will continue to build upon that transformative progress as the first-ever Black and Asian American woman president of the United States,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action, the grassroots arm of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Gun extremists have a dream ticket with Trump and Vance.”
Harris’s gun violence policies focus on implementing comprehensive background checks, banning assault weapons, expanding gun violence restraining orders, investing in community-based prevention programs, and advocating for criminal justice reform to address racial disparities and illegal gun trafficking.
The landmark bipartisan gun law signed in 2022 marks a historic step forward by instituting stricter background checks for young buyers, allocating significant funds for mental health and school safety, and closing critical loopholes related to domestic violence and gun trafficking, representing a pivotal moment in the fight for comprehensive gun safety reform.
During his presidency, Trump largely focused on deregulating gun sales, promoting policies like easing restrictions on silencers and pushing for national concealed carry reciprocity, while largely sidelining substantial federal action on gun control.
The contrast between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on issues of gun violence, public safety, and law enforcement underscores a fundamental choice for voters.
Trump’s tenure is marked by an increase in violence, controversial deregulation of firearms, and a divisive rhetoric that many argue failed to address the underlying issues effectively. Harris, on the other hand, offers a record of attempting to balance strict enforcement with reformative measures and community investment.
As America continues to confront the challenge of gun violence and public safety, the choice between these two approaches could shape the future trajectory of the nation’s policies and the effectiveness of its efforts to create a safer society.