Reported by (Reuters). U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is set to address thousands of gun rights supporters in Dallas on Saturday, aiming to galvanize his core base.
The former president will speak at the annual National Rifle Association (NRA) Leadership Forum at 2 p.m. CDT (1900 GMT). This marks the ninth time Trump has addressed the NRA, where he is expected to reiterate his strong opposition to new firearm restrictions.
The NRA has been a steadfast supporter of Trump, endorsing him during the 2016 race and throughout his presidency. They applauded his appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices and his designation of firearm shops as essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Republicans, backed by the NRA and other gun rights groups, generally oppose stricter gun laws, citing the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms. This stance persists despite numerous mass shootings prompting many Democrats to advocate for more gun control.
In a February speech at another NRA event, Trump vowed to reverse a rule restricting sales of pistol braces and other regulations implemented by Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration.
Polls show gun regulations are a contentious issue in the U.S., with a majority of Americans supporting some limits. A March Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 53% of respondents believe the government should regulate gun ownership, while 38% disagreed. Among Republicans, only 35% supported government involvement. told by CNN
Republican strategist Nachama Soloveichik, who worked on Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign, noted that the NRA gathering provides Trump an opportunity to energize his base, particularly rural voters for whom gun rights are paramount.
Despite many independent voters’ opposition to loosening gun control laws, their focus this election cycle is on issues like immigration, inflation, and abortion rights.
It remains uncertain if Trump will announce any new policies on Saturday, although conservative groups continue to challenge several Biden administration regulations.
Conservatives widely oppose a 2022 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives rule imposing new regulations on “ghost guns,” which are typically assembled from online kits. The Supreme Court agreed in April to review this rule.
Additionally, Heritage Action, a major conservative advocacy group, announced it would lobby against a new Commerce Department rule limiting gun exports to foreign individuals in certain countries.
The Commerce Department argues the rule prevents guns from reaching foreign criminals and terrorists, while Heritage Action contends there is insufficient evidence that such sales harm national security.
