Vice President Kamala Harris’s ownership of a Glock pistol contradicts her support for California’s “Unsafe Handgun Act,” sparking debate over gun legislation and political consistency.
At a Glance
- Harris owns a Glock pistol, classified as an “unsafe handgun” under California law
- She supports strict gun control laws, including the “Unsafe Handgun Act”
- Harris was involved in enforcing microstamping requirements for handguns
- Critics accuse Harris of hypocrisy and question her compliance with gun laws
- Her stance highlights tensions between personal rights and public policy
Harris’s Gun Ownership Revelation
Vice President Kamala Harris recently disclosed her ownership of a Glock pistol, igniting a firestorm of controversy. The revelation came during an interview where Harris stated, “I have a Glock, and I’ve had it for quite some time.” This admission has raised eyebrows given her background in law enforcement and her support for stringent gun control measures.
Harris’s ownership of a Glock is particularly contentious because California law, which she has supported and enforced, classifies all Glocks as “unsafe handguns” due to their lack of certain safety features. This classification stems from the state’s Unsafe Handgun Act, a piece of legislation that Harris has backed throughout her political career.
The California Unsafe Handgun Act
The Unsafe Handgun Act in California prohibits the sale of firearms deemed unsafe under state regulations. In 2023, the California legislature went further by banning the sale of non-microstamping-enabled handguns. Microstamping is a technology that imprints a unique identifier on each bullet fired, a feature not present in Glock pistols. “I have a Glock, and– I’ve had it for quite some time,” Harris said. “And– I mean, look, Bill, my background is in law enforcement. And– so there you go.”
My background is in law enforcement. Yes, I own a glock.pic.twitter.com/gTbjrEMCPA
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 8, 2024
Harris played a significant role in enforcing a 2007 California law requiring new handguns to have microstamping capabilities. Her involvement in implementing these requirements while owning a non-compliant firearm has led to accusations of hypocrisy from gun rights organizations and political opponents.
Legal Exemptions and Political Implications
As a former district attorney, Harris was legally allowed to purchase and own an “unsafe handgun” under California law. This exemption for law enforcement personnel has fueled criticism about the double standard between public officials and ordinary citizens regarding gun ownership rights.
Harris’s campaign has attempted to moderate her stance on firearms, assuring voters they won’t take guns away. However, her past support for a 2005 San Francisco handgun ban and a mandatory buyback program for “assault weapons” during her 2019 presidential run has left many questioning the sincerity of her current position.
Criticism and Calls for Clarification
Critics, including country music star John Rich and conservative commentator Dana Loesch, have questioned Harris’s compliance with gun laws and her stance on high-capacity magazines. Some have even expressed doubt about her gun ownership claim altogether.
“Kamala says she owns a Glock,” echoed country music star John Rich. “She was also in favor of banning what she called ‘high capacity magazines’ which is anything over 7 rounds. Every Glock magazine holds at least ten rounds, and most hold more than 15.
There are growing calls for Harris to address why she can own a Glock while advocating for restrictions on others. The controversy surrounding her gun ownership highlights the complex interplay between personal rights, public policy, and the expectations placed on political figures to align their private practices with their legislative actions.
Sources:
- Kamala Harris Says She Has a Glock, but Many Glocks Are Barred in California by a Law She Supported
- Kamala Harris says she owns a Glock despite supporting handgun bans in SF, prompting speculation it’s unregistered
