It’s always interesting how much attention a vice-presidential pick can stir up. Some people look at the choice like it’s a chess move — one that tells you exactly how the campaign plans to play the rest of the game. When Joe Biden picked California Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate back in 2020, one group that definitely took notice was Gun Owners of America (GOA).
The organization, which advocates for gun rights and often pushes back against any form of gun control, saw Harris’ addition to the ticket as a strong signal that the new administration would lean left on firearms policy. In a public statement, GOA board member Sam Paredes said the pick “cemented” Biden’s alignment with what he called the “militant, anti-gun Left.”
Now, campaign language always gets dramatic, but underneath that reaction were real policy disagreements worth unpacking.
Harris’ Record on Gun Policy
Harris’ record on firearms comes from her time as California’s Attorney General and later as U.S. Senator. She supported expanding background checks, banning the sale of certain semi-automatic rifles, and revoking licenses for gun dealers who violate the law.
She also voiced support for a mandatory buyback program for some semi-automatic firearms — a proposal that raised alarms among gun rights groups, who saw it as a form of confiscation. During her campaign, Harris even suggested she would take executive action on gun control if Congress didn’t act, saying she wouldn’t “apologize” for doing so.
In California, she defended the state’s “good cause” requirement for concealed carry permits — a policy that limited who could legally carry a firearm in public. That stance was criticized by both gun owners and civil rights advocates who said the rule was applied unevenly across counties.
A Nation Split on the Issue
The tension around Harris’ record reflects a broader divide that’s been running through American politics for decades. One side views stronger gun laws as a path to safer communities, pointing to studies that show background checks and storage requirements can reduce gun deaths. The other side sees these laws as government overreach that chips away at constitutional rights.
And somewhere in the middle are millions of Americans who own guns but also support some degree of regulation — a group that rarely makes headlines but represents a large part of the conversation.
The Broader Question
The GOA’s response to Biden’s VP pick wasn’t just about one candidate. It tapped into an ongoing national debate over how much control the federal government should have over firearms — and whether that control makes people safer or less free.
For people who grew up around guns, the issue can feel personal, like someone questioning part of their culture. For others who have lost loved ones to gun violence, it’s hard to understand why anyone would resist tighter rules.
The truth is, both sides are reacting to fear — just different kinds. One fears a future without self-defense; the other fears another day in the news filled with loss.
When I think back to 2020, I remember how emotional that election was. It wasn’t just about politics; it was about identity, safety, and trust. Whether you’re for or against stricter gun laws, it helps to step out of the slogans and really hear what the other side is afraid of. Because underneath all the noise, most people just want to feel safe — in their homes, in their neighborhoods, and in their country.
And that, at least, is something everyone can agree on.
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