Former President Donald Trump addressed thousands of National Rifle Association (NRA) members at their annual meeting in Texas on Saturday, urging gun owners to vote in the upcoming 2024 election. The NRA officially endorsed Trump shortly before his speech, solidifying his stance as a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights.
Trump emphasized the importance of mobilizing gun owners, describing them as a "rebellious bunch" but urging them to channel that rebellious spirit into voting. He warned that the Second Amendment would be at risk if Democratic President Joe Biden were re-elected, asserting that Biden has a long history of attempting to restrict gun ownership.
“The Second Amendment is very much on the ballot,” Trump said. “If Joe Biden gets four more years, they are coming for your guns, 100% certain. Crooked Joe has a 40-year record of trying to rip firearms out of the hands of law-abiding citizens.”
The Biden administration has implemented several measures to address gun violence, including a new rule designed to close a loophole allowing unlicensed dealers to sell guns without background checks. Despite these efforts, Trump has continued to position himself as a staunch defender of gun rights, claiming to be "the best friend gun owners have ever had in the White House."
Trump’s address comes amid record numbers of mass shootings in the United States, with last year seeing 42 mass killings resulting in 217 deaths, making it one of the deadliest years on record.
In his speech, Trump also criticized independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., labeling him as “radical left” and a “disaster.” He highlighted Kennedy's previous comments in which he referred to the NRA as a “terror group,” urging NRA members not to waste their vote on him. Kennedy later clarified in a Fox News interview that he did not remember making that comment and that he supports the Second Amendment.
Additionally, Trump announced that he would be speaking at the Libertarian Party’s convention next week, emphasizing the need to unify and secure votes from Libertarian supporters to prevent Biden's re-election.
Earlier in the day, Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee launched a new coalition, "Gun Owners for Trump," which includes gun rights activists and industry professionals.
Biden has made gun violence prevention a central focus of his administration, establishing the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris, and advocating for a ban on assault weapons. Biden’s spokesperson, Ammar Moussa, criticized Trump’s unwavering support for the NRA, suggesting it would lead to more gun violence and suffering.
During his presidency, Trump had moments where he appeared open to strengthening gun laws, such as after the Parkland high school shooting in Florida. However, he later backpedaled on promises to implement stronger background checks, citing a lack of political support.
In his speech, Trump also addressed the criminal cases against him, attributing them to political motivations by Democrats. He criticized Biden’s border policies and reiterated his pledge to initiate the largest domestic deportation operation. Additionally, Trump advised Republicans to approach the issue of abortion with caution to remain electable, advocating for a more knowledgeable and empathetic discourse.
“In my opinion, Republicans have not been talking about it intelligently. They haven’t been talking about it with knowledge,” he said. “Remember, speak from your heart. But you also have to get elected again.”
Overall, Trump’s address underscored his commitment to gun rights and his broader political strategy as he gears up for the 2024 election.
