Vice President Kamala Harris owns a Glock pistol, raising questions about her stance on gun control and California’s “Unsafe Handgun Act.”
At a Glance
- Harris owns a Glock pistol, which she has fired at a shooting range
- California law classifies all Glocks as “unsafe handguns”
- Harris supported strict gun control laws and mandatory buyback programs
- Critics question the apparent contradiction between her ownership and policy positions
- Harris cites her law enforcement background to justify gun ownership
Harris’s Gun Ownership Revelation
Vice President Kamala Harris recently disclosed her ownership of a Glock pistol, sparking a debate about the consistency of her stance on gun control. In an interview with CBS News, Harris stated, “I have a Glock, and I’ve had it for quite some time. My background is in law enforcement, so there you go.” This revelation has ignited discussions about the apparent contradiction between her personal firearm choices and her public policy positions.
Harris’s ownership of a Glock is particularly notable given her support for California’s “Unsafe Handgun Act,” which classifies all Glocks as unsafe due to their lack of certain safety features. This law, which Harris helped enforce as California’s Attorney General, restricts the sale of handguns deemed unsafe by state standards, including newer generations of Glock pistols.
“I have a Glock, and I've had it for quite some time,” says VP Harris, addressing the surprise some people felt upon learning she’s a gun owner. “My background is in law enforcement. And so there you go.” https://t.co/3WvS0NXkSP pic.twitter.com/dGDqEy17IL
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 8, 2024
California’s Gun Laws and Harris’s Role
As California’s Attorney General, Harris played a significant role in enforcing the state’s stringent gun laws. In 2007, she was involved in implementing a law requiring new handguns to have microstamping technology, a feature not present in Glocks. The California legislature further tightened restrictions in 2023 by banning the sale of non-microstamping-enabled handguns altogether.
“I have a Glock, and– I’ve had it for quite some time,” Harris said. “And– I mean, look, Bill, my background is in law enforcement. And– so there you go.” – Source
Harris’s ability to own a Glock stems from her former position as a district attorney, which allowed her to purchase and possess firearms classified as “unsafe” under California law. This exception for law enforcement officials has drawn criticism from gun rights advocates who argue it creates a double standard.
Criticism and Questions
Harris’s gun ownership has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Gun rights organizations have questioned the apparent double standard, arguing that Harris supports laws restricting firearms for ordinary citizens while benefiting from exceptions due to her law enforcement background. Critics also point to her previous support for a 2005 San Francisco handgun ban, which was later overturned by a California appeals court.
“Kamala says she owns a Glock,” echoed country music star John Rich. “She was also in favor of banning what she called ‘high capacity magazines’ which is anything over 7 rounds. Every Glock magazine holds at least ten rounds, and most hold more than 15. – Source
During her 2019 presidential campaign, Harris initially supported a mandatory buyback program for “assault weapons.” However, her stance has since softened, with her current platform focusing on red flag laws, universal background checks, and an assault weapons ban. This shift in position has led to questions about the consistency of her views on gun control.
Harris’s Defense and Campaign Strategy
In response to criticisms, Harris and her campaign have attempted to moderate her stance on firearms. She has emphasized her gun ownership to counter accusations of being anti-gun, stating, “We’re not taking anybody’s guns away. So stop with the continuous lying about this stuff.” This approach appears to be an effort to appeal to moderate voters while maintaining support from gun control advocates.
“Tim Walz and I are both gun owners.” – Source
The controversy surrounding Harris’s Glock ownership highlights the complex and often contentious nature of gun control debates in the United States. As the Biden-Harris administration continues to push for stricter gun laws, including arguments against “ghost guns” in the Supreme Court, Harris’s personal firearm ownership remains a point of discussion and scrutiny among both supporters and critics of gun control measures.
Sources:
- Harris questioned for owning gun classified as ‘unsafe’ weapon in California
- Kamala Harris Says She Owns a Glock
