Kamala Harris Reveals Gun Ownership Amid California's Gun Law Controversy

This week, Vice President Kamala Harris publicly acknowledged owning a Glock handgun, which has raised eyebrows given California’s strict regulations surrounding gun purchases. In an interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” Harris, a seasoned public figure with a law enforcement background, shared that she has owned the firearm for several years and has practiced with it at a shooting range. A campaign representative later confirmed that the Glock she referenced is the same one she mentioned during her earlier presidential campaign in 2019 and is stored in a secure area of her California home.

Harris’ revelation ignited criticism from Second Amendment advocates and conservative media outlets, who labeled her a hypocrite for supporting legislation aimed at restricting gun purchases while owning a firearm herself. They raised questions about the circumstances under which she acquired the Glock, emphasizing California’s stringent gun-purchasing laws that are currently contested in court. Although Harris mentioned the handgun is a self-defense tool, stating that anyone breaking into her home would “be getting shot,” details about the model of the gun or the nature of its storage remain undisclosed.

California law requires that handguns sold within the state adhere to specific safety standards, creating a challenging landscape for newer models like Glocks post-2010, which lack essential safety features. There are exemptions for law enforcement personnel, allowing them to acquire firearms for both official and personal use. However, the campaign did not clarify whether Harris obtained an exemption based on her previous roles as California’s attorney general or as a district attorney, nor whether she purchased the gun before the law limiting Glock sales was enacted.

Critics of Harris's gun ownership have called attention to her previous positions advocating for stricter gun control, including mandatory buybacks of assault weapons, though she has since softened her stance. Conversely, some gun safety advocates assert that there is no inherent contradiction in her dual role as a gun owner who supports regulation. Harris herself has argued that supporting policies aimed at curbing gun violence does not equate to a rejection of the Second Amendment and that a balanced approach recognizing gun ownership rights is essential for effective legislation on gun safety.