In a recent statement, Vice President Kamala Harris referred to Americans who openly carry firearms as “extremists.”
Her remarks came as she criticized the increasing number of states that have passed laws allowing individuals to openly carry guns without the need for permits or background checks.
Addressing the issue of gun violence, Harris expressed her concern over the policies that have made it legal for individuals to openly carry firearms without undergoing proper screening.
She argued that these measures do not prioritize public safety or contribute to reducing gun-related incidents but rather cater to the demands of a minority group of extremists.
“These extremists dare claim to be for life, but instead of acting to save lives from gun violence, extremists state by state made it legal to open carry a gun without even a permit or background checks,” Harris stated, emphasizing her disappointment with the recent legislative developments.
The Vice President’s comments have sparked a contentious debate, with gun rights advocates arguing that open carry policies do not necessarily contribute to an increase in violence.
They contend that responsible gun owners should have the right to carry firearms for self-defense purposes and that extensive background checks and permits impose unnecessary restrictions on law-abiding citizens.
As of 2023, the regulations regarding open carry of firearms differ across states in the United States.
Currently, 37 states permit open carry of firearms without the need for a permit, while in nine states, individuals must obtain a permit to openly carry a handgun, according to worldpopulationreview.com.
However, four states—California, Florida, Illinois, and New York—completely prohibit open carry.
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects the right to bear arms, says, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”