Trump receives endorsement from NRA as he pledges to ‘roll back’ Biden’s gun policies

The former United States President and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, on Saturday (May 18) urged gun owners and thousands of members of the National Rifle Association (NRA), to vote in the upcoming presidential elections. Trump, whom the NRA has officially endorsed, took the stage at their annual meeting in the US city of Dallas, Texas.

‘They are coming for your guns’

In his more than 90-minute speech to the tens of thousands of gun enthusiasts and dealers gathered at the NRA’s annual Leadership Forum, Trump said the Second Amendment “is very much on the ballot” in November.

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He also went on to urge people to vote in the upcoming elections. “We’ve got to get gun owners to vote,” said the former president. He added, “I think you’re a rebellious bunch. But let’s be rebellious and vote this time.”

Trump also alleged that if his rival and incumbent US President Joe Biden “gets four more years they are coming for your guns, 100% certain. Crooked Joe has a 40-year-record of trying to rip firearms out of the hands of law-abiding citizens.”

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The Republican presidential nominee also repeated his pledge to fire the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, on Day One if he wins the presidency again.

Trump has accused the government agency, which enforces gun laws in the country, of being heavy-handed with firearm owners and revoking licenses on frivolous grounds.

The Republican party is known for opposing stricter gun laws in the US despite record numbers of mass shootings, citing the right to bear arms which the Second Amendment of the US Constitution grants.

Meanwhile, a large number of mass shootings in the US over the years have prompted many Democrats to impose more controls on guns, including the Biden administration.

In a bid to combat gun violence, Biden introduced a new rule which aims to close a loophole that has reportedly allowed tens of thousands of guns to be sold every year by unlicensed dealers who do not perform background checks.

“In my second term, we will roll back every Biden attack on the Second Amendment. The attacks are coming fast and furious,” said the former president.

‘Best friend of gun owners’

The former president has pledged to continue to defend the Second Amendment, which he claims is “under siege,” and has called himself “the best friend gun owners have ever had in the White House”.

The NRA, the top gun rights group in the US has endorsed the Republican three times – 2016, 2020 and 2024.

This comes as steps taken during the Trump administration have favoured the organisation including designating firearm shops as essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing them to stay open.

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Last year, the US witnessed 42 mass killings which led to 217 deaths, making it one of the deadliest years on record.

Biden campaign criticises Trump

After the speech, the Biden campaign accused Trump of prioritising the desires of the gun lobby over public safety.

“Tonight, Donald Trump confirmed that he will do exactly what the NRA tells him to do - even if it means more death, more shootings, and more suffering,” said Biden campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa.

Polls have indicated that gun control is a divisive issue in the US, but a majority of Americans remain in favour of at least some limits.

(With inputs from agencies)