Speaking to a packed arena at the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, this past weekend, Trump reiterated his commitment to the Second Amendment, declaring to thousands of sportsmen and woman, a number of them NRA members, “no one will lay a finger on your firearms.” Trump pledged to eliminate every Biden administration attack on gun owners and manufacturers, a promise that was met with robust support from the standing room only crowd. The NRA is a title sponsor and organizer of the nine-day show, one of the largest in the country.
Key points Trump stressed in his speech included:
Promise to Protect Firearms: Trump assured NRA members that their right to own firearms would remain untouched if he were to win the presidency again. He emphasized a complete rollback of Biden-era gun restrictions within his first week, or even on his first day back in office.
Rollbacks and Reversals: Trump vowed to eliminate the “Zero-Tolerance” policy against firearm dealers who violate gun laws and provide them an opportunity to be heard and to reverse regulations on pistol braces. He argued that these Biden administration policies unfairly target gun owners and manufacturers.
Record of Support for Gun Rights: Trump highlighted his actions during his presidency in favor of gun rights, such as loosening restrictions on hunting and fishing on public lands, designating gun stores and manufacturers as essential services during the pandemic and appointing federal judges supportive of Second Amendment rights. Trump branded himself as a staunch defender of the Second Amendment, claiming to be the “best friend gun owners have ever had in the White House” and promising that gun rights would always be safe with him.
Trump’s appearance at what was billed as NRA’s Presidential Forum at the show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, highlighted his ongoing effort to engage with gun owners, underscoring his commitment to gun rights as a priority for GOP voters.
However, his history with the NRA and his advocacy for gun rights hasn’t always been ironclad, such as his administration’s support of for a ban on bump stocks following a massacre of music fans at a country music festival in Las Vegas in which the shooter used a bump stock, as well as his encouragement for states to adopt Extreme Risk Protection Orders, also known as Red Flag laws.
Despite these instances, Trump emphasized his overall resistance to imposing stricter gun control measures, even under significant pressure.
“During my four years nothing happened. And there was great pressure on me having to do with guns. We did nothing. We didn’t yield,” Trump stated.
His remarks come on the heels of a dominant performance in the Nevada caucuses, underscoring his ongoing influence within the Republican Party and among conservative voters. Trump’s speech also highlighted the tension between advocating for gun rights and addressing the nation’s history of mass shootings, including the tragedy in Parkland, Florida. While he had previously signaled a willingness to strengthen gun laws, he ultimately reaffirmed his support for the Second Amendment, retreating from proposals that would have significantly altered gun ownership rights.
The event, which drew thousands of NRA members and supporters to the PA Farm Show Complex’s Large Arena, underscored Trump’s continued appeal among gun enthusiasts and his potential candidacy’s implications for America’s gun policy landscape.
As the political climate heats up and the presidential race looms closer, Trump’s firm stance on gun rights and his promises to repeal recent restrictions will likely remain central themes in his campaign, appealing to a base that views the Second Amendment as sacrosanct.