In a candid interview broadcast on October 7, Democratic presidential candidate and current US Vice President Kamala Harris revealed she owns a Glock semi-automatic pistol, stirring public debate over her gun ownership at a time when firearms regulation remains a polarizing issue in American politics. Speaking on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Harris not only confirmed that she is a gun owner but also that she has used her weapon on a shooting range, further complicating her public image as a proponent of stricter gun control measures.
“I have a Glock, and I’ve had it for quite some time,” Harris remarked when asked what kind of firearm she possessed. She linked her decision to own a gun to her previous career as a prosecutor and California’s attorney general. “My background is in law enforcement. And-so there you go,” she added, suggesting that her professional experience in crime-fighting informed her personal firearm ownership.
Harris’s revelation of her Glock ownership, along with her admission of using it at a shooting range, was not only a rare personal insight but also a strategic political move. In an election race where gun rights are hotly contested, Harris’s acknowledgment of her gun ownership is seen by many as an attempt to counter Republican attacks that portray her and the Democratic Party as staunchly anti-gun.
Kamala Harris’s admission comes as a surprise to many, particularly given the Democratic Party’s platform, which calls for increased gun regulation to curb gun violence and mass shootings. Until now, Harris has rarely spoken about her personal status as a gun owner, aligning with the Democratic emphasis on measures such as background checks, assault weapon bans, and “red flag” laws.
Harris’s history in law enforcement and her advocacy for gun control, however, place her in a unique position within the gun debate. As a former prosecutor, she has firsthand experience dealing with gun-related crimes, which provides her with a nuanced perspective on firearm regulations. But her ownership of a Glock, one of America’s most popular handguns, signals an attempt to appeal to moderates and independent voters who support both the Second Amendment and reasonable gun control measures.
The Austrian-made Glock, widely used by police forces across the US and featured prominently in pop culture, is often considered one of the most recognizable firearms in the country. It’s a powerful symbol of gun ownership, which Harris may now be using to bolster her credibility among gun owners-a group traditionally aligned with the Republican Party.
Harris’s gun ownership also addresses a critical point of contention raised by her opponent, Donald Trump. Throughout the election campaign, Trump has repeatedly claimed that Harris and the Democratic Party plan to confiscate guns and infringe upon the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to bear arms. In their televised debate, Trump insisted that Harris was a threat to Americans’ gun rights, a claim Harris forcefully rejected.
By revealing her status as a gun owner, Harris not only refuted Trump’s accusation but also introduced herself as someone who understands the complexity of gun ownership firsthand. She has used this narrative to position herself as a defender of responsible gun ownership, telling Oprah Winfrey in a previous interview that she was prepared to shoot anyone who broke into her home. “If someone breaks in my house, they’re getting shot,” she said with a chuckle, a line that plays directly into the hands of voters who believe in gun ownership for self-defense.
This position puts Harris in line with her running mate, Tim Walz, who has also spoken about being a gun owner. Together, they seek to present a more centrist stance on firearms, aiming to dispel the notion that Democrats want to infringe upon gun rights while also advocating for tighter regulations to prevent gun violence.
While Harris’s Glock ownership may appeal to some voters, it raises questions about how she reconciles this with her party’s broader stance on gun control. Democrats have consistently pushed for measures such as universal background checks, restrictions on high-capacity magazines, and bans on certain assault-style weapons-policies that have faced staunch opposition from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other pro-gun groups.
Harris’s acknowledgment of her gun ownership could be a calculated move to soften the Democrats’ image among gun owners without abandoning the party’s core principles. It signals that she, like many Americans, sees room for responsible gun ownership alongside policies aimed at curbing gun violence. The challenge she faces is in balancing these two positions-reassuring gun-owning voters that their rights will be protected while also pushing for reforms that might alienate them.
Republicans, particularly Trump, have sought to paint Harris as an extremist on gun control, hoping to galvanize their base by stoking fears of gun confiscation. However, Harris’s personal ownership of a Glock may deflect some of these attacks, providing her with a defense against accusations of radicalism.
Harris’s interview on 60 Minutes tackled other contentious topics, including immigration and the economy, but it is her gun ownership that has drawn the most attention. In a deeply divided electorate, where gun control remains a deeply emotional issue, her revelations could both help and hurt her campaign. While her Glock ownership may appeal to moderate voters and gun rights advocates, it could alienate the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, which is pushing for stricter gun regulations.
For many voters, Harris’s Glock ownership may humanize her, showing her as someone who, despite advocating for stricter gun laws, understands the realities of self-defense and responsible gun ownership. However, for others, it raises concerns about whether her stance on gun control is consistent with her actions.
As the election draws closer, Harris’s challenge will be to navigate these conflicting expectations, maintaining her credibility on gun control while also appealing to voters who view the Second Amendment as a fundamental right. In revealing her Glock ownership, Harris has chosen to embrace a more complex and multifaceted image-one that may help her bridge the divide in America’s contentious gun debate.
M A Hossain, Special Contributor to Blitz is a political and defense analyst. He regularly writes for local and international newspapers.