Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is challenging for re-election in the U.S. presidential race, appealed for the support of gun owners by promising to lift President Joe Biden's gun regulations.
Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is campaigning in Freeland, Michigan, on the 1st (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to The New York Times (NYT) on the 18th (local time), Trump delivered a speech at the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual meeting held in Dallas, Texas, saying, "If the Biden administration stays in power for four more years, they will come for your guns," and "In my second term, I will defeat all of Biden's attacks on the Second Amendment. Those attacks are coming fast and furious." The U.S. Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms.
He also urged gun owners to support him. Trump said, "You are considered rebellious people. This time, let's vote rebelliously," and "Gun owners must participate in voting."
The NRA annual meeting that day was a venue to express support for former President Trump and for him to accept it. The NRA is the largest gun advocacy group in the U.S. and supported Trump in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Trump emphasized, saying, "I kept the gun-related promises I made during the 2016 election while in office," and "No one will lay a hand on your guns."
Trump promised, "The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is responding too harshly to gun owners and revoking gun licenses for minor reasons," and "On the first day of my re-election, I will fire the ATF director."
Trump is emphasizing gun freedom ahead of the election. Before the annual meeting, the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee established the "Gun Owners for Trump Coalition," a group including gun rights activists and industry workers.
On the other hand, President Biden has taken a stance that gun regulations are necessary. President Biden has established a gun task force led by Vice President Kamala Harris within the White House to regulate gun violence.
Amar Musa, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, criticized Trump, saying, "Tonight, former President Trump confirmed that he will do whatever the NRA tells him to do, even if guns mean more deaths, shootings, and pain," accusing Trump of being swayed by lobbying from gun advocacy groups.
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