Gun rights groups are sounding the alarm over the new 2024 Democratic National Committee (DNC) platform, released Sunday, which proposes comprehensive gun control measures.
Groups including Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the DNC platform shows that Democratic proposals are “antithetical” to Second Amendment protections. The platform states Democrats would “pass nationwide red flag legislation to prevent tragedies by keeping weapons out of dangerous hands” and increase funding for ATF “enforcement and prosecution.” According to The platform was announced ahead of the tournament, which begins on August 19th.
The DNC also reiterated its support for banning “assault weapons,” banning “large-capacity” magazines, stripping away liability protections for gun manufacturers and mandating “safe” firearm storage in its 2020 platform. (Related story: Planned Parenthood clinics offering free abortions, vasectomies during Democratic National Convention)
“Tim Walz said 'no one is going to take away your guns' but that was a lie. And this DNC platform is packed with clearly unconstitutional policies that will do nothing to stop crime or make America safer,” he said. “GOA just hosted its first convention in Knoxville, and from the reaction of thousands of our members it's clear they are fired up for this election. Gun owners know the Second Amendment is on the ballot, and we will continue to resist this DNC agenda through campaigning, lobbying, and if necessary, legal challenges to protect Americans' Second Amendment rights. We cannot afford to compromise.”
In 2021, House Democrats passed the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Orders bill, which would allow family members or law enforcement to petition a judge to confiscate firearms from someone they deem a “danger to themselves or others.” According to The Senate has not taken any action on the bill since it was referred to the Judiciary Committee in 2022.
“NSSF is not surprised by the DNC platform's inclusion of gun control at the expense of fundamental constitutionally protected rights,” National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) Managing Director of Public Affairs Mark Oliva told DCNF. “The 'red flag' laws advocated by the DNC are such that they lack any protection for due process rights.”
Gun enthusiasts participate in and display guns at the Shooter's Gauntlet's annual machine gun shoot on June 3, 2023 in Monroe, Pennsylvania. The shoot, which has been held since 2016, allows members of the public and others to fire machine guns at targets in a managed, safe, wooded area. (Photo by Spencer Pratt/Getty Images)
Oliva told DCNF that the NSSF has been advocating for increased funding for the ATF for years to ensure it can function smoothly without delays with the firearms industry, but believes Democrats would use the funds to prosecute ordinary Americans.
“The funding the DNC is seeking would only go toward enforcing the Biden-Harris Administration's 'zero tolerance' policies that have caused hundreds of small businesses to lose or surrender their federal firearms licenses over minor clerical errors,” Oliva told DCNF. “The Biden-Harris Administration is using the ATF as a tool to suppress lawful firearm ownership in the United States.”
According to experts who spoke with the DCNF, assault weapons bans would likely be unconstitutional and difficult to enforce. Moreover, a 2024 meta-analysis by the RAND Corporation found that: Found There is inconclusive evidence as to whether assault weapons bans reduce firearm-related homicides.
“Many of the provisions are part of the usual gun control wish list that anti-gun politicians routinely tout, who blame gun owners rather than criminals,” Adam Kraut, executive director of the Second Amendment Foundation, told DCNF. “The new platform shows that the DNC would rather ban America's most popular rifle than prosecute criminals.”
Gun manufacturers are immune from liability for firearm crimes under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). According to Oliva said Democrats are more interested in prosecuting gun companies than holding criminals who own guns accountable.
“Rather than hold criminals accountable, the DNC would rather pursue policies that run counter to a basic understanding of tort law,” Oliva told DCNF. “They are calling for the repeal of the Protect Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), a law that Attorney General Merrick Garland also acknowledged as constitutional when he testified before Congress.”
The Democratic National Convention did not immediately respond to DCNF's request for comment.
As an independent, nonpartisan news service, all content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation is available free of charge to any legitimate news publisher with a large readership. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and affiliation with the DCNF. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
