At a recent Senate hearing on the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) took the opportunity to criticize the “easy accessibility” of AR-15s. During her questioning of FBI deputy director Paul Abbate, she asked him to clarify the type of firearm used in the assassination attempt.
Abbate confirmed that it was an AR-15 style rifle made by Panther Arms. Hirono then expressed concern about the high number of guns in the United States, stating that “we are a nation awash in guns.” She emphasized her belief that more should be done to prevent easy accessibility to these types of firearms within the country.
Abbate declined to engage in a gun control debate, instead focusing on gathering facts related to the case. Hirono expressed disappointment at his refusal to discuss the issue, reiterating her view that there is a causal factor between the easy accessibility of guns and violent incidents. She again described America as “a nation awash in guns.
Breitbart News also reported that Sen. Dick Durbin (D) used the Senate hearing to criticize the ease of access to AR-15 rifles. Neither Durbin nor Hirono addressed the fact that the AR-15 used in the assassination attempt was legally purchased, meaning it was acquired through a background check at retail.
This incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding gun control and the availability of firearms in the United States. With numerous high-profile incidents involving AR-15 rifles in recent years, many lawmakers and advocacy groups continue to call for stricter gun laws and restrictions on certain types of firearms. However, others argue that these measures infringe upon Second Amendment rights and do not address the root causes of violence.
AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio, a member of Gun Owners of America, and the director of global marketing for Lone Star Hunts. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal in 2010 and has a Ph.D. in Military History. Follow him on Instagram: @awr_hawkins. You can sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange. Reach him directly at [email protected].