What the 2024 Election Means for Gun Rights: Key Takeaways ~ VIDEO

Opinion: The Reloads’ Stephen Gutowski discusses the 2024 Election Results with Semafor News’ Dave Weige and what it means for gun owners.

The recent episode of The Weekly Reload Podcast, featuring Semafor’s Dave Weigel, offers a thoughtful breakdown of how guns played a role in the 2024 election and what the results could mean for the next administration’s approach to gun policy. If you’re pro-gun and want to stay ahead of the political shifts, here’s what you need to know.

Gun Messaging in the Campaigns

Weigel noted some interesting dynamics in how the major campaigns addressed gun issues:

• Kamala Harris’s Handgun Narrative
  Harris leaned into her personal ownership of a Glock as a way to soften her image among gun-owning voters. This was likely an attempt to balance her history of supporting gun bans—like San Francisco’s handgun restrictions and California’s microstamping requirements—with a more moderate public stance. While her messaging may have contributed to a recent Gallup poll showing declining Democratic support for handgun bans, it wasn’t enough to overcome her broader political challenges.
• Donald Trump’s Focus
  Trump largely sidestepped the creation of new pro-gun reforms, instead focusing his campaign messaging on undoing Joe Biden’s gun-related executive orders. This defensive approach, paired with promises to appoint pro-gun judges, resonated with his base without stirring significant controversies.

Why Gun Policy Wasn’t a Top Issue

Despite its prominence in past elections, gun policy ranked lower in voters’ priorities this time around, trailing behind economic, immigration concerns, and other issues. Both candidates avoided making guns a central focus. Harris downplayed her past support for bans, while Trump avoided pushing ambitious new reforms. This low-profile approach reflects the political calculus of appealing to swing voters while maintaining support from their respective bases.

What to Expect from the Next Administration

Looking ahead, Weigel and host Stephen Gutowski agreed that the GOP’s federal control is likely to focus on:

1. Judicial Appointments
   Trump’s judicial picks, which will likely include strong advocates for gun rights, could be the most impactful pro-gun moves of the next administration. These appointments are expected to shape the courts’ approach to Second Amendment cases for years to come.
2. Rolling Back Biden’s Policies
   Expect executive actions targeting Biden-era initiatives, such as the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, to be reversed. However, rolling back ATF regulations, like pistol brace and ghost gun rules, will require lengthy rulemaking processes.
3. Legislative Gridlock
   With slim Republican margins in Congress, significant new gun legislation is unlikely. Even initiatives like national concealed carry reciprocity face steep hurdles in the Senate due to the filibuster.

Implications for Gun Owners

The election results reveal some promising trends for gun rights advocates:

• Support for handgun bans remains at historic lows, even among Democrats.
• A Trump administration is likely to prioritize protecting existing gun rights rather than enacting new restrictions.
• The courts will continue to be a battleground for gun laws, with more pro-gun rulings likely under a GOP-appointed judiciary.

Closing Thoughts

While the election didn’t produce major shifts in gun policy, it set the stage for a cautious but potentially significant pro-gun agenda. Trump’s focus on rolling back Biden’s policies and confirming pro-gun judges could have long-term benefits for Second Amendment supporters. Meanwhile, Democrats’ struggles to define a consistent gun policy highlight how unpopular extreme restrictions remain.

As the political landscape evolves, staying informed and engaged will be key to defending and advancing gun rights. For detailed analysis and updates, follow The Weekly Reload and keep an eye on judicial and executive developments over the next few years.

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