By Larry Keane
It was quite surprising to hear it when it happened but Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, was fact checked in real time about the real drivers of criminal gun violence. She was tripped up on her answer because the journalist pressing her wasn’t buying the vice president’s tired talking points.
It happened during an interview of the vice president at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) after one of the questioners asked Vice President Harris about her gun control platform.
For those needing any reminding, the Biden-Harris administration has been the most fervently anti-gun administration in history. Vice President Harris, as the administration’s “gun czar,” has infamously instituted a “whole-of-government” attack on the firearm and ammunition industry and the Second Amendment. She is colluding with gun control groups – who literally operate out of her office. As President Joe Biden’s “gun czar,” Harris has continually failed to bring criminals to account for their crimes.
Vice President Kamala Harris tries to claim to voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia and other close-polling states that she “isn’t taking anyone’s guns away from them” while in the same breath calling for a ban and confiscation of an entire class of lawfully made and legally purchased firearms – the most popular rifle in America. That’s just about the extent of her “plan” to reduce criminal gun violence. But finally, she received pushback for specifics that voters deserve to hear.
Please Answer the Question
Whenever Vice President Kamala Harris has been asked about criminals committing gun crimes, her response is predictably always the same. She calls for more gun control on law-abiding Americans, lists a kitchen sink full of anti-Second Amendment talking points and blames Congress for inaction. This is despite the fact that for the first two years of the Biden-Harris administration, Democrats controlled both chambers in Congress and The White House. She never mentions that not even all Democrats in the U.S. Senate supported a bill to reinstate, and expanded, a so-called “assault weapons” ban. That doesn’t stop the vice president from repeating those calls. But the interviewers at the NABJ wanted more specifics from her.
“In cities like Philadelphia, handguns are responsible for most homicides and violent crime,” NPR’s Tonya Mosely began. “How will you address the issue of the use of handguns because a push for an assault weapons ban only addresses, um, a significant but small part of the problem?”
The vice president began her answer by repeating the talking point that she and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz were both gun owners. She claimed “we’re not trying to take anyone’s guns away from them. But we do need an assault weapons ban.” As she continued to filibuster her answer about how Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) need to be banned and universal background checks must be implemented, Mosely interrupted and pressed her further.
“Respectfully, we do understand that. But I’m asking specifically about handguns because many of those handguns aren’t purchased at places that run background checks. In many of those instances those handguns aren’t bought lawfully.”
The vice president was stumped. She had no response to the logical reasoning that the firearm industry continues to highlight when calls for gun control are made – that criminals do not follow the law. NSSF has reported on Department of Justice data that shows 90 percent of firearms used by criminals in the commission of their crime were obtained through illicit means and not at a firearm retailer. It’s also one of the main reasons why universal background checks won’t work. That and the fact that a national firearm registry is prohibited by law under the Gun Control Act of 1986 and the Brady Act of 1993.
Shift the Conversation
Vice President Harris noticeably paused and shifted her answer to another gun control cliché – gun shows.
“It’s why I have also been adamant about for years, in fact, I myself have protested at a gun show – probably ten, fifteen years ago,” the vice president said. “But the gun show loophole and why we need to close that. Because what ends up happening is that gun shows at flea markets, gun dealers are not, under existing law in the past, required to register their sales.”
According to the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, data reveals that of prison inmates who possessed a gun while committing a crime, fewer than 1 percent (0.8) had obtained the firearm at a gun show. In addition, firearms that are purchased at a gun show must still be transferred through a federal firearms licensee with a processed FBI NICS verification. The “gun show loophole” the vice president references is a myth.
She began to wrap up her answer by unironically hitting the nail on the head. “And so you are exactly right, that a lot of homicides for example…are committed with illegally purchased guns.”
There’s more in her response but what she did not mention was getting tough on criminals, especially repeat offenders who often get out of jail or are released without even going to jail. She did not mention supporting law enforcement in their role to protect communities and keep neighborhoods safe. In Washington, D.C., for instance, the U.S. attorney’s own recent report reveals as few as 500 identifiable people, many of them involved in neighborhood crews or cliques, are responsible for 70 percent of the city’s shootings.
Prevention
One point the vice president did touch on that the firearm industry agrees with, though approaches in vastly different ways, is crime prevention. It’s why the firearm industry is so serious about the Real Solutions. Safer Communities®. initiatives that have a proven record of reducing firearm thefts from mom and pop retail locations, preventing the illegal purchasing of firearms by straw purchasers and ensuring lawful gun owners understand the importance of and practice safe and responsible firearm storage in the home when their firearms are not in use.
Vice President Kamala Harris will pursue a stringent gun control agenda should she win presidency in November, there’s no question about it. The firearm industry continues to cooperate with law enforcement to try to reduce firearm crimes and tragedies while at the same time respecting Constitutional rights to keep and bear arms. Voters across the country must get registered to vote, educate themselves on where the candidates stand on issues and, most importantly, turn out to vote on or before November 5th.
There’s too much at stake. The Second Amendment is on the ballot. Don’t Risk Your Rights – #GUNVOTE®.
Larry Keane is Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs and General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry trade association.
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Hi Jerry, thanks for asking some follow-up questions.
1. Acceptable regional variants. English is not one of those languages where spelling and usage rules are set by academics. English is (small-d) democratic and the concensus of the people that use it make and change the rules.
2. No. I wish, though. She is a pretty good debater and is one of several people to have beaten ol’ Donnie Drumpf in a debate.
3. Just about every maker of long arms is making assault weapons or weapons of war. Or at least having their name engraved on them. When Savage and Mossberg are putting their name on AR pattern rifles, that is just about every one.
4. And yet, so many claim she is undefined and should have to endure a bunch of gotcha question interviews to say what you already know.
5. Betcha I can.
6. This ties back into my answer to number 1. I will admit, the phrase “weapon of war” is a niche term used by a niche group of people. Another niche term used by a niche group to describe the same type of weapon is MSR. These are better described with the more widely used term of assault rifles. That is the term that most of the population has decided on for these kinds of weapons, semi-automatic weapons that are patterned after military rifles and reworked for civilian ownership to get around gun regulations seeking to protect the public, usually involving converting from automatic to semi-automatic fire. The widest known examples are AR and AK pattern rifles but can include others. Even something as stylish as a Thompson would be an assault weapon.
I get it…she’s a duck. Every time you ask here a question she does not want to answer other than by a sound bite, she ducks. As noted, she did not address gang violence, she refuses to recognize that even at gun shows, anyone selling guns who is “in the business” must conduct background checks, and that in any event, most homicides are committed with stolen guns. Nothing she talked about dealt with the issue of ciminal violence.
The author flatly has his facts wrong. Here in Texas (not all states, but it is true here in Texas), firearm sales at gun shows between private individuals do not require background checks. Even if a private citizen has a table, he can sell firearms from his “personal collection” without a background check.
I would agree that the gun show loophole is poorly named since it is not just a gun show thing.
I put “personal collection” in quotes because there are guys at every show who are there to do unto others, to buy low simply for the purpose of selling high. If you deny this, comment later and be all like “but no, you are just making this up, there is no such thing as a low priced firearm anymore” then you aren’t paying attention.
Yes, Individuals – you know, (We the) People – the folks who are supposed to run this country, not bureaucrats, who are not FFL- licensees/gun dealers are not required to run the unconstitutional NICS “background check”. It is amazing that those sheeple who consistently bleat that there should be all sorts of rules, regulations, registrations, hurdles, and yes, prohibitions on the exercise of an expressed, written, Constitutional Right start to howl like wolves when it comes to requiring anyone who registers to vote must show proof of citizenship and eligibility to vote. A close reading of the Constitution and Bill of Rights fails to disclose any restrictions on just what Congress may or may not do as pertains to VOTING. Democrats do NOT want this guardrail to safeguard our Republic because they want to facilitate illegal/illicit voting either by it agents (living or dead) multiple times and/or in multiple districts, or by non-citizens/foreign actors.
The Second Amendment, like all the others section of The Bill of Rights, is absolute. The Constitution and The Bill of Rights delineate express Limits on just what the government is empowered to do and the Bill of Rights, which the Second Amendment is a part of, tells the government what it CANNOT do. Criminals do not obey laws and The Left/Democrats/Totalitarians want to make laws that turn law-abiding citizens into criminals.
You probably do NOT even realize it but your posted statement provides proof that there is no such “loophole” Texas, like all the other 49 states requires that all legal sales, at a gun shows, flea markets, one’s own private residence or any other legitimate venue, must be in accordance with all local, state and federal law. State laws vary significantly, if there was a “loophole” then some or all legal requirments would be irrelevant. There is no “loophole” at any point, there is NOT one single law being voided.
Every FFL is required to follow the law but does Harris understand that FACT? Is she ignorant, dishonest or both? Nothing was clarified by her statements. The issue is only concerned with sales bewwen private citizens. We both know that people like you want universal back ground checks with a permaneant data base and even laws on disclosing an inherited firearm being passed down to other family members. You oppose the current TX laws on private sales. You support the most restrictive 2A laws that a left wing tyrant could dream up. Just be honest.
Recently ILLinois started requiring all sales, including those between private citizens include a background check through the ISP data base with FIOD provided at the point of sale. In the past private sales required the seller produce a valid FOID card and maintain a record of the sale for 10 years. Never where any legal requirements were ever waved just because the transaction took place at a gun show or flea market etc. A legal sale in ILL has different requirements that must be met than in TX. There was never any ambiguity or inadequacy in the law, there was never any “loophole” to exploit. Get it now?
Proove me wrong if you can.
The loophole is that these transactions happen in the absence of a background check. This is where the threat to public safety comes from, this is what enables these black market transactions that you cite as the source of so many of these crime guns.
I will be the first to admit that the name is not accurate, that the gunshow loophole is neither restricted to gun shows nor truly a loophole, more a series of shortcomings in the erratic and inconsistent patchwork of state rules, which is why the most effective solutions will come from federal government, or at least as soon as Republicans decide they love their children more than they love their NRA money.
OK, we seem to agree now that in TX there is no gunshow loophole. I do NOT know the details of TX laws, never went to law school but how much does it matter with graduates like Harris? Just because many people do NOT agree with a law and want more restrictions in a current law does NOT mean that there is a loophole. Can’t leave it there though, because you went on to say too much and cause another disagreement.
At the federal level growing, selling and using marijiuna (schedule 1 drug) is still a federal crime but many states now have laws that contradict the federal laws even as the Supremecy clause looms over all 50 states. Not sure if that’s a loophole but it sure looks like the states want the revenue while fed want to maintain the option of prosecuting some certain individuals and taking away 2A rights, eligibilty to serve in the US military or hold a federal job, restricted from federal housing and certain visas etc.
We have seen the federal government ignore both federal and state law and allow the immigration laws in the US to be violated on a massive scale. We have seen the federal government violate state law, federal law and international law to run guns into the Mexico without even consulting that sovereign nation (the work of an arch criminal Barry Soetoro). Your faith in the federal government is hard to share.
Yeah, I now the Dems are so much more loving of their children than the Reps, that’s why the Dems love taking their children to drag queen sex shows and turn away from political cash cows. Is that cheap shot the best you could come up with these days BD?.
“…there are guys at every show who are there to do unto others, to buy low simply for the purpose of selling high.”
I intend to buy every Ruger Wrangler in black with every barrel length that is offered. The gun is cheap but I cannot make any money with a resale. So, are you saying that sellers at TX gunshows are drastically undercutting their own market? That not believable and why should I care if that’s the case.
Or maybe you are saying that there are people at TX gun shows that are buying at a legitamite market price and then reselling to people that are not eligable to own a gun and thus there is a considerale mark up? If the latter, what data do you have to support such a claim?
Kamala Harris is a moron and a traitor. I’m against all gun laws. I remember when my grandfather would order rifles through the Sears Roebuck Catalogue and they were mailed to his home. We need to get rid of serial numbers. We need to get rid of all the gun laws the politicians have passed in the last 60 years. They all violate the second amendment.
Harris was visibly upset that Trump picked 3 conservative justices who made the decision to repeal Roe vs. Wade. We need more conservative justices on the Supreme Court so they can uphold the constitutional law and rights of “We the People” The Democrats and liberals would like left leaning Supreme Court Justices so they can pass unconstitutional legislation and tear down our Republic.
Anyone who votes for this idiot should lose their citizenship. She does not present the American People. She will not protect our rights.
I have long understood thatALL ffl’d gundealers must log (“register”?) Every gunsale, and pretty much cannot do that outsidebtheir gunshop address, so ffks at flea marjets is new to me. And ffls have always made you fill out THE FORM since, like, gca’68, whether shop or gunshow.
Granted, sone gunshows look a bit like flea markets…
“But the gun show loophole and why we need to close that. Because what ends up happening is that gun shows at flea markets, gun dealers are not, under existing law in the past, required to register their sales.” -Kamala Harris
One should expect that a law school graduate, who worked in the Alameda DA office, then the San Francisco DA office, then the became the city attorney of San Francisco, then elected DA of San Francisco, and then elected AG of California could make a precise legal statement at some point in her political career.
harris motto! “if you can’t dazzle them with brilliance then baffle them with bullshit”
Yes, Harris seems like someone who is constantly talking in a fashion where she is trying to hide her lack of understanding the issues. In this case, she avoids detailing what she believes is a “gun show loophole.” Instead, she makes up a vague scenerio where she claims that “gun dealers” are NOT required to “register their sales.” I always understood that FFL holders have always been required to record gun show sales in accordance with local, state and federal laws and those same laws apply to all private transactions.
She specifically states that “gun dealers are not, under existing law in the past, required to register their sales.” My guess is that she was vagually aware that there was an expansion in the legal definition of “gun dealer” but she does NOT want to be burdened with those details. How did she get through law school?
Someone with her background should easily understand and instantly recall that AG Merrick had approved ATF’s “final ruling” on a dealer to now include someone being “engaged in the buisiness.” She should be aware that the AG and ATF actions are controversial and should come before the USSC.
She would be just like the fake POTUS (genuine POS) where some hidden power would be running and ruining the US and as CiC she would NOT understand or care whether it is North or South Korea that is a Communist threat.
Are you going to listen to the prosecutor or the felon?
San Francisco DA’s office, I feel like I have heard that for someone else too. Maybe that one lady whose job was to show off her legs on the Five? She seemed high-maintenance enough that she’d need to date the son of a billionaire.
I cannot understand what you mean. Someone said that Harris often sounds like a child that is giving a book report on a book she knew she was supposed to read, but failed to do the work and is just trying to dupe her audience.
To better understand Kamala Harris, pay less attention to what she is saying and more attention to how she is saying it. Vibes, they call it. She fumbles over words – maybe not as much as the old guy being propped up by the Republucans, but still. One vital part of an oppourtunity economy is to have the oppourtunity to go to work and to school without the threat of assault rifles and weapons of war in our streets. Common sense solutions to problems we all see.
No decent person wants kids to have to worry about being killed in school or anywhere else, that is unrelated to a corny vodoo economics cath slogan by Harris. Kids should NOT have to be afraid of being sexuall assaulted by other students or staff, whats the plan with the opportunity economy on that problem?
One vital part of an opportunity economy is to have the opportunity to go to work and to school without the threat of assault rifles and weapons of war in our streets. Common sense solutions to problems we all see.
1) Corrected your spelling.
2) Are you picking up debate lessons from Kamala?
3) Who makes these assault rifles and “weapons of war” you refer to?
4) We are listening to what she says, listening to what she has said in the past, and we are watching between the lines.
5) I bet you can’t answer #3.
6) Explain what makes one of those “weapons of war” you so despise.