Will Gun Control Now Become A Major Issue In US Presidential Elections?

A mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, where a gunman killed two teachers and two students on Wednesday, reignited a familiar debate on gun control in Washington. Advocates for stricter gun regulations and their allies oppose US gun policy, while opponents blame the shooter and societal issues.

Amid an unprecedented sprint for the White House, gun control advocates see a chance to advance their cause. Kamala Harris addressed the shooting during a New Hampshire rally, deviating from her script. Recently, the Democratic National Convention also highlighted former gun survivor violences.

This now has become the first presidential campaign where gun safety has been a core issue, which represents significant progress in gun violence prevention over the last decade.

Democrats Vs. Republicans on Gun control after Apalachee high school shooting

Harris’s support for gun reform could benefit her with key voter demographics such as young people and women.

In contrast, the GOP has been less vocal about the Second Amendment this election cycle. The Republican National Convention did not address guns in its platform, dedicating an entire day to “Make America Safe Again” without including gun reform. The convention’s most notable gun-related event was an AR-15 raffle.

The party’s stance on guns may be unpopular with younger voters, compounded by the NRA’s legal troubles and fundraising issues.

Trump, now a survivor of gun violence himself, has attributed the assassination attempt to the shooter rather than the weapon. Democrats view this as an opportunity to highlight perceived GOP hypocrisy on the issue.

Is Harris doing enough on gun control?

March for Our Lives spokesperson Ryan Barto posed a question to Trump, emphasizing the need for him to advocate for other victims of gun violence.

Some critics felt that Democrats had not prioritized gun reform enough this cycle. Harris’ campaign could have leveraged this popular issue more effectively, according to some candidates and strategists.

Biden, who had a strong gun safety record, including establishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and passing significant legislation, called for change again, stating that the nation cannot continue to accept gun violence. However, Democrats campaign messaging had focused more on abortion, democracy, and the economy.

Former Rep. Mondaire Jones criticizes the lack of prominence given to gun violence in the current election cycle, suggesting it was a chance for Democrats to highlight GOP failures in ensuring safety.

From Biden’s modest approach to Harris intensifying the issue

In early August, as Harris’s team adjusted its strategy, activists noted the Biden campaign’s modest approach. Brady’s Mark Collins observed that gun reform had dropped from a top five voter issue but remained significant for the 18-34 age group.

Biden’s recent push for gun safety before stepping down as the party nominee was followed by Harris and Tim Walz emphasizing gun control. Collins noted that Harris had made it a top issue of her campaign. Walz, who had previously supported gun access but shifted his stance after Sandy Hook, has become a major advocate for the campaign.

The DNC also featured prominent gun violence survivors, such as former Rep. Gabby Giffords and Rep. Lucy McBath, who spotlighted gun safety on the final day of the convention.

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Gun violence among most important issues for young voters

Gun safety activists and gun rights advocates both recognize the significance of Harris’s stance. Mark Oliva of the National Shooting Sports Foundation anticipated that a Harris administration would intensify gun control efforts.

A surge in new, diverse gun owners since the pandemic adds complexity to the issue. Gun activists hope this new demographic will support their cause, while Democrats see an opportunity to appeal to young voters who prioritize gun safety.

Gun violence is the fourth most important issue for young voters, according to an April Harvard Youth Poll. Among all respondents, 54% ranked it as a top issue, including 41% of Republicans. For Democrats, it was the second most important issue after reproductive rights.

As the campaign progresses into the fall, activists and strategists hope Harris will build on her momentum. Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville suggested focusing on the problem of gun access in shaping policy.

Gun control Vs Gun rights

Harris’s supporters overwhelmingly prioritize gun control over gun rights and believe that gun ownership contributes more to reducing rather than increasing safety. About 83% of Democratic Party supporters think the rise in gun ownership in the US is at least somewhat detrimental to society.

Conversely, Donald Trump’s supporters express opposing views on these issues, often with even more pronounced differences.

The topic’s divisiveness is further highlighted by the disagreement on whether gun violence is a major national problem. A separate survey reveals that 68% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents consider gun violence a very significant issue, compared to only 27% of Republicans and Republican-leaners.

Views on gun rights and ownership among Trump and Harris supporters show a general similarity, indicating profound divisions between the two groups. However, there are internal differences within each coalition.

Voters in rural areas, whether supporting Trump or Biden, tend to favor gun rights more than urban voters, with similar patterns in views on gun safety.

How Biden and Trump deal with gun laws

President Biden enacted the most significant gun safety legislation in over two decades, introducing stricter background checks for gun buyers and other protections. His justice department also prohibited the manufacture and sale of ghost guns. He has consistently reluctant Congress to implement a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

While in office, Trump relaxed US gun laws but also took steps to ban bump stocks, which are accessories enabling semi-automatic weapons to fire more rapidly. After receiving the National Rifle Association’s endorsement this month, he stated his intention to reverse all of President Biden’s new gun regulations and remove the head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

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