Vice President Kamala Harris revealed this week that she owns a Glock — a gun that is banned from purchase in California amid a legal battle over state gun laws.
“I have a Glock and have had it for a while,” Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, said in an interview. Aired on CBS News' “60 Minutes” Monday. “My background is law enforcement.” He added that he fired the gun at a shooting range.
A Harris campaign aide said in a statement to NBC News that it was the same gun he owned. Property is mentioned in 2019 During his previous run for president, he is “in a safe place at his home in California.”
Harris's revelation drew a wave of criticism from Second Amendment groups and conservative media, who said her accuser's hypocrisy gave her longtime support for measures that would restrict people from buying certain types of guns. They also questioned how he purchased the gun under California's strict gun purchase requirements.
Harris' campaign did not specify where or when he purchased the Glock, what model he owns or what storage devices he uses. Harris said last month that the gun is for self-defense and “If anyone breaks into my house, they will be shot.” Harris' current residence is guarded by armed Secret Service agents.
According to a 2001 California law, which is challenged in court, guns purchased or sold in the state must meet certain product safety standards and maintain the state's list of firearms that are approved for sale.
Some older models of Glocks and other weapons that do not meet standards are purchased. But Glock pistols were omitted from the list. Released in 2010That's because they don't have mandatory safety features like magazine disconnects, which prevent guns from firing when magazines are removed. Glock did not respond to a request for comment.
There are exemptions for certain law enforcement officials for “use in the performance of their official duties” as well as “for personal use.” State Judiciary. Those exempt include members of the Judiciary and the Public Ministry.
Harris has a long history as a prosecutor, beginning in 1990 with his work in Alameda County, California. He was elected San Francisco district attorney in 2002 and oversaw many high-profile cases.
The campaign did not say whether Harris purchased the gun before the law or the Glock limit was enacted or whether he received a discount to purchase his gun, and the state Department of Justice did not immediately comment.
NBC News could not confirm Wednesday whether Harris would be eligible for immunity from her previous position at the California attorney general or local district attorney's office. In 2013, as attorney general, Harris cleared the way to implement a new provision of the Gun Safety Act.
Gun rights advocates criticized Harris for owning a firearm after he advocated policies that would limit the guns people could buy. He previously supported compulsory buybacks of assault weapons. His retracted his position, but he continues to support a federal ban on assault weapons. In 2008, he led a group of district attorneys who appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court not to overturn Washington, D.C.'s total gun ban, arguing that it would interfere with the authority of state and local governments to make their own gun laws. fire; Court finally struck down the law.
“Out of the corner of his mouth, he sees the social usefulness of firearms for him. But he doesn’t want anyone else to have access to the most effective tools to protect themselves or their families,” said CD Michel, a California attorney who represents gun rights advocates. Case California on its firearm safety laws. “I think he’s basically a hypocrite.”
Chris Brown, a prominent gun protection advocate, argued that there is no conflict between Harris' support for restricting gun ownership and owning certain types of weapons.
“I think it’s fantastic that he talks about being a gun owner — he doesn’t try to hide it from the public,” said Brown, president of Brady, which advocates for gun violence prevention.
“The general public understands that there is no daylight between believing in the Second Amendment and being a gun owner and believing in pro-life policies,” he added.
Harris maintains there is no conflict between her belief in gun rights and her support for policies such as assault weapons bans, universal background checks and red flag laws.
“I think for a long time, on the issue of gun violence, some people have been advocating a really false choice that either you're for the Second Amendment or you want to take away everyone's guns,” he said. Said at a campaign event last month
