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Possible Firearm Law Changes Based On The Upcoming Election Results
The 2024 election will be pivotal for the future of the Second Amendment and gun rights in the United States.
There are sharp contrasts between the Republican and Democratic party platforms when it comes to firearm laws. Both parties have laid out visions that reflect their values regarding firearms, gun rights, gun control, and the 2nd Amendment.
The future of the Second Amendment is on the ballot in November. Source
Whether gun rights are maintained at the status quo, expanded, or restricted will be determined when Americans cast their votes in November. This article examines the platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties, the positions of the leading presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, and the implications of each candidate’s potential presidency on Second Amendment rights in the United States.
Comparison Chart: Republicans vs. Democrats on Guns and the 2nd Amendment
| Policy | Republican Party Platform | Democratic Party Platform |
| Second Amendment Rights | Supports the right to keep and bear arms. In general, opposes new gun restrictions/regulations. | Emphasizes regulation to prevent gun violence. |
| Background Checks | Opposes expanding background checks; supports the current system with minimal adjustments. | Advocates for universal background checks, including private sales and gun shows. |
| Assault Weapons Ban | Opposes any bans on semi-automatic firearms, including AR-15s. | Supports reinstating the “assault weapons” ban and banning “high-capacity” magazines. |
| Red Flag Laws | Generally opposes red flag laws, citing concerns over due process violations. | Supports national implementation of red flag laws. |
| Gun Industry Liability Protections | Supports maintaining protections that prevent lawsuits against gun manufacturers when crimes are committed with their products. | Aims to eliminate liability protections, allowing lawsuits against gun manufacturers. |
| Safe Storage Laws | Opposes mandatory safe storage laws, viewing them as government overreach. | Supports mandatory safe storage laws. |
| Funding for Gun Violence Research | Opposes funding for gun violence research, arguing it could lead to biased outcomes. | Supports increased funding to research gun violence as a public health issue. |
The 2024 party platforms for both Republicans and Democrats are disappointing for Second Amendment absolutists and even for those who are a step below in their views of the Second Amendment.
The Democratic Party’s platform has been trending away from solid protections of the Second Amendment and firearms freedoms for multiple election cycles, and 2024 is no different.
The 2024 Republican Party platform is also less firearms-friendly than some previous platforms, notably 2016’s party platform. While this isn’t a statement by the Republican Party that it is planning to abandon its prior stances on the Second Amendment, it is disappointing for those hoping for a strong statement in defense of gun rights.
Kamala Harris’ Current and Past Opinions and Statements
As California Attorney General, a senator from California, and Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris has advocated for gun control throughout her career. As Vice President, she played a key role in the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and championed actions to address Democratic priorities on gun control.
Vice President Harris. Source
A recent post on X by the Vice President explicitly called for the banning of “assault weapons, ” stating, “Congress must renew the assault weapons ban.” This position is consistent with her record as a senator and attorney general. It’s clear what the country will see if she wins the election in November.
Kamala Harris renewed her call to ban “assault weapons” on September 14, 2024. Source
Actions that Kamala Harris likely will take if she becomes president include pushing Congress to renew the ban on “assault weapons,” banning “high-capacity” magazines, and re-shaping the federal judiciary by appointing judges who would rule in factor of restriction on firearms.
Donald Trump’s Current and Past Opinions and Statements
During his presidential campaigns, Donald Trump has attempted to portray himself as a staunch defender of the Second Amendment. He has done so to an extent, with his four years being some of the most pro-gun of the last 40 years.
Former President Trump. Source
That being said, there is controversy with some of the Trump administration’s actions. His implementation of a ban on bump stocks was recently struck down in Federal court, and many defenders of the Second Amendment point to this action by the Trump administration as a playbook the Biden administration has followed when attempting to use the regulatory state to attack gun rights.
Photo Credit: During his term as president, Donald Trump appointed three judges with strong pro-Second Amendment reputations. Source
During Trump’s first term in office, his appointments to the Federal bench did more to protect the Second Amendment than any other action Trump took as president. A second Trump presidency would likely continue this trend, with judges being appointed who would broadly protect the Second Amendment.
Tim Walz vs JD Vance on the Second Amendment
Both Vice Presidential Candidates follow the lead of the people at the top of the ticket. Tim Walz used to hold a favorable grade from the NRA, but over time, his opinions have evolved, and he is now a strong advocate of comprehensive gun control, including an “assault weapons” ban and red flag laws.
Tim Walz and JD Vance are both vying to become Vice President. Source
JD Vance’s positions closely follow the opinions of major firearms rights organizations, and Vance’s numerous interviews and statements on the Second Amendment are firmly based on the current policy positions of the Republican party.
Gun Rights Organizations and the Parties
There are some fantastic gun rights organizations in the United States. Groups like Gun Owners of America (GOA), Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR), and the National Rifle Association (NRA) have led the fight for gun rights in the 21st century. Waging a symbolic war on behalf of gun owners, these organizations have pushed both legislative and judicial aspects of the culture war over firearms.
In contrast, the Democratic Party aligns with gun control advocacy groups like Brady, Giffords, and Everytown for Gun Safety. These organizations push legislative and judicial regulation of guns that would result in tighter controls on firearms and their owners; some of the proposals would result in outright bans of types of firearms and accessories and would lead to confiscations in the name of “reducing gun violence.”
The positions of the two parties on issues ranging from universal background checks to assault weapon bans and red flag flaws are in sharp contrast and emphasize the differences between the Republican and Democratic parties. The Republicans claim to protect individual rights, while the Democrats claim community safety and public health.
Other Relevant Considerations for the 2024 Election Cycle
Public opinion on firearms, gun violence, and the Second Amendment is deeply divided. The modern American media frequently follows the policy of “if it bleeds, it leads,” which, as a result, amplifies the actions of mentally unstable individuals in society.
The current members of the United States Supreme Court. Source
Solutions to the division within the United States are unlikely to come about through legislative means, and we will most likely witness a divided legislative branch and deadlock. This deadlock will lead to the Judicial branch having an outsized amount of influence on the debate over gun rights.
Also, expect to see lobbying groups and organizations spend liberally in the run-up to the election as both sides attempt to elect as many of their preferred candidates to Congress as possible.
Last Words
As most readers of this article already know, the 2024 election will be pivotal in determining the country’s future. Firearms laws are just one of a series of issues highlighting the stark differences between Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, and the broader Republican and Democratic parties.
The future of the Second Amendment will be on the ballot in 2024, and it will hinge on the outcome of the presidential race and the subsequent legislative and judicial actions of each candidate and their party. In November, greater regulation and restriction of guns or greater protection of gun rights will be decided.
Every voter will contribute to the future of firearms ownership and regulation in the nation. Everyone should make an effort to educate themselves and then vote their conscience in November. The fate of the nation’s laws depends on it.
