OPINION:
In a political landscape full of dishonesty, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has distinguished himself as an egregious political opportunist when it comes to gun rights.
A camouflage hat and some hunting pictures cannot hide the fact that Mr. Walz’s policies would eviscerate our Second Amendment rights. His actions betray the principles he once claimed to uphold. In their introductory political rally, Mr. Walz and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, made it clear that they plan to continue their assault on the Second Amendment. Mr. Walz’s hypocrisy and extremism are a danger to our fundamental freedoms.
When running for Congress in a rural southern Minnesota district, Mr. Walz touted his support for the right to bear arms and its importance in personal protection. At the time, his stance earned him positive marks from the National Rifle Association’s Political Victory Fund. Mr. Walz’s record included votes against an assault weapons ban and support for concealed carry in national parks.
But as soon as it was politically convenient, Mr. Walz abandoned his support of the right to keep and bear arms. Since assuming the governorship, Mr. Walz has shown his true colors, turning his back on the very constituents who originally helped propel him to political success: specifically, the hardworking, pro-Second Amendment patriots of his southern Minnesota district. He has pushed for “commonsense” gun control measures that strip law-abiding citizens of their rights while doing little to curb crime. These measures include universal background checks, red flag laws and a ban on commonly owned firearms, all of which are ripe for abuse and infringe upon our constitutional rights.
Universal background checks are a Trojan horse for gun registration. They create a de facto registry of gun owners, which history has shown is the precursor to confiscation. Mr. Walz’s support for this measure demonstrates his willingness to undermine the privacy and freedom of law-abiding Minnesotans.
Red flag laws allow gun confiscation based on mere accusations without the due process guaranteed by the Constitution. The Minnesota Legislature passed a red flag law in 2023 that Mr. Walz signed, enabling authorities to remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat without a fair hearing.
Mr. Walz has also backed bans on what are sometimes called assault weapons, which include many of the most popular guns in America. Responsible gun owners regularly choose these firearms to defend themselves and their families, and the NRA supports the right of all law-abiding Americans to defend their families with the firearm of their choosing.
What’s more, Mr. Walz’s flip-flop on gun rights aligns him with Ms. Harris’ extreme anti-gun stance. Ms. Harris has consistently pushed for draconian gun control measures. She has advocated the confiscation of lawfully acquired firearms and believes that there is no individual right to arms under the Second Amendment. The Harris-Walz vision for America is one where law-abiding citizens are disarmed and criminals and rioters are given free rein.
Mr. Walz’s betrayal is a stark reminder of the dangers of political expediency. He has abandoned his previous stance to curry favor with anti-gun radicals, prioritizing his political career over the rights of law-abiding Americans. This shift is not just a matter of policy but a fundamental breach of trust with the voters who believed in his commitment to the Second Amendment.
And just recently, Mr. Walz’s handlers were forced to walk back his false claim that he carried “weapons of war” in combat. This discredited portrayal of his service in the National Guard clearly reveals an untrustworthy candidate who will say anything to appease the far left of his party.
It is imperative for gun owners and all who value freedom to stand up against Mr. Walz’s betrayal. The right to bear arms is an ironclad constitutional guarantee. It is how we protect ourselves, our families and our liberty.
We must not allow our rights to be stripped away by politicians who flip-flop on our freedoms to suit their ambitions. We must remain vigilant and vocal, ensuring that the Second Amendment is upheld and that our rights are preserved for future generations. Tim Walz’s betrayal is a call to action for all freedom-loving Americans to defend our constitutional rights with unwavering resolve.
• Doug Hamlin is executive vice president & CEO of the National Rifle Association.
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