In the 2024 Republican Party Platform, there is a clear and explicit defense of “fundamental freedoms,” with one notable area being the right to keep and bear arms. This position is emphasized in point seven of the Preamble, which states: “Defend our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, and our fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to keep and bear arms.
While this statement is shorter compared to the 2020 platform, it should be noted that the previous platform was essentially a reiteration of the 2016 one. As a result, some issues that were important in 2016 may no longer hold the same significance in the current discourse. For instance, the 2016 platform called for an investigation into the “Fast and Furious” operation carried out by Department of Justice officials who allowed illegal gun sales to known criminals. However, Fast and Furious was an operation from the Obama administration, and thus is no longer a major concern in the current political climate. The focus has now shifted to alleged gun crimes committed by President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter (as reported by Breitbart News on June 3, 2024.
Furthermore, Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024, has made it clear that he is dedicated to protecting the Second Amendment from all adversaries. In a speech delivered to NRA members on May 18, 2024, Trump stated: “Let there be no doubt, the survival of our Second Amendment is very much on the ballot. It’s under siege.” He went on to argue that the right to bear arms is crucial for personal safety in addition to traditional recreational activities such as hunting. Trump emphasized that while law-abiding citizens are willing to give up their weapons, criminals will not: “The bad ones are not giving up their guns.
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 related to the Second Amendment. He is also the political analyst for Armed American Radio, a member of Gun Owners of America, and the director of global marketing for Lone Star Hunts. Hawkins was a Visiting Fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal in 2010 and holds a Ph.D. in Military History. You can follow him on Instagram: @awr_hawkins. To subscribe to Down Range, visit Breitbart News at breitbart.com/downrange. For direct communication with Hawkins, send an email to [email protected].