In a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, Vice President Kamala Harris made a strong statement on the right to self-defense, unexpectedly supporting gun ownership and the right to protect one’s home. During the discussion, Harris, known for her prior criticism of “Stand Your Ground” laws, stated that she would personally shoot someone who broke into her home, a stance that has raised eyebrows given her previous comments on gun control.
The conversation began when Oprah highlighted that Harris had previously acknowledged being a gun owner during a debate with former President Donald Trump. Winfrey expressed surprise, saying, “I did not know that,” and described it as a “powerful” moment. Harris responded directly, saying, “If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot, sorry.”
This statement, which reflects a clear stance on self-defense, contrasts sharply with Harris’s earlier views on gun laws, particularly her criticism of “Stand Your Ground” laws. In 2020, during her vice presidential campaign, Harris condemned these laws, calling them racist and accusing them of being used to justify violence against people of color, particularly Black and Brown men. She argued, “These Stand Your Ground laws… have often, often and frequently been used as an excuse if not a cover for people who are motivated by racism and racial profiling.” Harris asserted that these laws allowed people to “kill Black and Brown people” under the guise of self-defense, contributing to systemic racial injustice.
In addition to her stance on “Stand Your Ground” laws, Harris has a long history of advocating for stricter gun control measures. As San Francisco’s district attorney in May 2007, she proposed stricter regulations for gun owners, expressing concern about firearms being misused within communities. Harris remarked at the time, “It’s people who own guns who are quietly sitting on those guns. And those guns might end up being the weapons of destruction in a community.” She emphasized the need for responsible gun ownership and proposed laws that would allow authorities to inspect homes to ensure firearms were being stored properly. Harris was a key figure in drafting legislation that imposed penalties on gun owners who failed to store their firearms safely.
Her recent comments, however, paint a different picture. During the 2020 vice presidential debate, Harris refuted claims that she wanted to confiscate firearms, stating, “This business about taking everyone’s guns away… we’re not taking anybody’s guns away.” This statement was a response to critics who had accused her of supporting mandatory gun buyback programs, particularly during her presidential campaign when she advocated for stricter regulations on assault weapons. Harris’s shifting rhetoric on guns has left many questioning the consistency of her stance.
Reactions to Harris’s recent comments about shooting an intruder have been mixed, with critics pointing to her past advocacy for stricter gun control as contradictory. Journalist Stephen L. Miller, for example, questioned whether Harris’s gun ownership was genuine, suggesting that her comments were politically motivated. “Kamala Harris advocated for door-to-door mandatory gun buyback programs,” Miller noted. “Maybe a journalist worth their professional reputation would follow up on that one.”
The Trump campaign also responded critically to Harris’s remarks, accusing her of hypocrisy. A statement from the campaign asked, “Can Kamala describe the make and model of the gun she allegedly owns? And explain why she spent years advocating for door-to-door, mandatory gun confiscation? This is called pandering — and nobody is buying the bulls***.” The comment underscored the perceived inconsistency between Harris’s current stance and her previous advocacy for aggressive gun control measures.
Attorney and political commentator Laura Powell took a more sarcastic tone, highlighting Harris’s past support for law enforcement entering homes to inspect how firearms were stored. “Hey, Kamala, I’m sure you understand that we’re going to have to come into the sanctity of your locked home to check to see if you’re being responsible,” Powell wrote, mocking Harris’s previous statements on gun safety.
Harris’s changing stance on guns reflects the broader, often polarizing debate around gun ownership in America. While she has been a strong advocate for gun control throughout her career, her recent comments on the right to defend her home may signal a more nuanced position. Critics, however, see this shift as opportunistic, designed to appeal to a broader audience without reconciling the contradictions in her past and present views.
As public discourse around gun rights and gun control continues to evolve, Harris’s comments are likely to remain a point of contention. For some, they signify a common-sense approach to personal safety, while for others, they represent an attempt to navigate the politically charged waters of gun ownership in America.
Kamala Harris: “I’m a gun owner…If someone breaks in my house, they’re getting shot, sorry. I probably should not have said that. Hahaha! My staff will deal with that later. Hahaha!” pic.twitter.com/wF6KufDqfY
— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) September 20, 2024