In less than six years, former President Donald Trump went from taking on the National Rifle Association (NRA) by banning bump stocks to defending the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down his own ban on those devices. Despite his previous efforts to restrict guns, Trump’s campaign for the 2024 election now touts him as the best friend gun owners have ever had in the White House. Trump’s complicated record on the Second Amendment has come under scrutiny, especially as his conservative base strongly opposes gun control, while public polls show broader support for stricter gun laws.
During his presidency, Trump initially made promises to strengthen gun laws after the Parkland shooting and other mass shootings, only to backtrack on those vows. Despite once scolding a Republican senator for being afraid of the NRA and pledging to stand up to the gun lobby, Trump later expressed support for modest changes to the federal background check system and arming teachers. He ultimately blamed lack of political support for not taking stronger action on gun violence.
While Trump’s campaign continues to emphasize his support for Second Amendment rights, President Joe Biden criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the bump stock ban as prioritizing the gun lobby over the safety of Americans. Biden’s campaign pointed out that Trump nominated three of the justices who voted against the ban. The ruling overturned the Trump-era ban on bump stocks that followed a mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2018, where hundreds were wounded and dozens killed. Bump stocks allow a rate of fire similar to machine guns.
The decision generated a muted response from most Republican members of Congress, with some calling it unconstitutional without specifically mentioning Trump. U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, highlighted that Congress makes laws, not the administrative branch, and pointed out that the top court invalidated Trump’s bump-stock ban. The ruling could have implications in Nevada, where a mass shooting in 2017 left 60 people dead and the exact motive unknown. A state lawmaker from Nevada stressed the devastating impact of bump stocks in her community and urged electing Democrats to prevent Republicans beholden to the gun lobby from being in charge of public safety.
Overall, Trump’s evolving stance on gun control and the Supreme Court’s decision on bump stocks illustrate the complexities and divisions surrounding gun laws in the United States. The ruling has reignited debates on gun control, with Democrats advocating for stricter regulations and Republicans emphasizing Second Amendment rights. The issue of gun violence remains a contentious topic in American politics, with both sides pushing for their respective agendas to address the ongoing challenges and tragedies related to firearms.
