Leaders often change after facing violence. For example, Emperor Ashoka gave up war after witnessing the Kalinga massacre. However, US President Donald Trump, even after surviving gun violence, continued to support gun rights.
Trump Survives Violence, Maintains Gun Stance
In 2024, Trump survived two assassination attempts. At the same time, the country saw several mass shootings. One such tragedy took place on April 17 at Florida State University. A gunman killed two people and injured six others.
Despite this, Trump refused to support stricter gun laws. Instead, he stood by the Second Amendment. His position stayed the same, even after personal danger and public outcry.
Florida Shooting Raises Concerns
On April 17, 20-year-old student Phoenix Ikner opened fire at Florida State University. He legally got his weapons through his mother, a sheriff’s deputy. According to reports, he held extremist far-right views.
As a result, the shooting sparked major debates about gun control. Meanwhile, Trump was speaking at an NRA event, urging gun owners to vote for him. He said, “Guns don’t kill people; people kill people.”
This echoed his response to the 2018 Parkland school shooting. Back then, he also focused on mental health instead of gun control.
Trump Faces Two Assassination Attempts
Earlier in 2024, Trump survived two direct threats. On July 13, Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at him during a rally in Pennsylvania. The bullet grazed Trump’s ear and killed a bystander. On September 15, Ryan Wesley Routh tried to attack Trump in Florida but was stopped in time.
Still, Trump didn’t support new restrictions. Instead, he used these incidents to promote more armed citizens. He said, “If one patriot in that crowd had been carrying, Crooks would’ve been stopped before he pulled the trigger.”
He made similar remarks after the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, even though that location already had armed security.
Turning Trauma into a Political Message
Despite these threats, Trump turned his survival into a campaign strength. At the NRA’s 2024 convention, he claimed his injuries showed his courage. He blamed “radical leftists who want to disarm America.”
Soon after, he launched a group called “Gun Owners for Trump.” This targeted conservative voters who often skip general elections. Consequently, in November 2024, Trump won. Low Democratic turnout and high Republican support gave him victory.
Past Promises, Present Reversals
Previously, after the 2018 Parkland shooting, Trump promised stronger background checks. However, under NRA pressure, he dropped those plans.
This year, he vowed to end President Biden’s rule that closed the “gun show loophole.” He also falsely claimed, “98% of mass shootings occur in gun-free zones.” That statistic came from a flawed 2014 report. Yet, Trump used it to call for arming teachers and allowing wider concealed carry.
Biden and Trump Offer Opposite Views
At the same time, President Biden took a different path. He created the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, led by Vice President Kamala Harris. Their plans included universal background checks, a federal red-flag law, and a ban on assault weapons.
Harris pointed out that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. She blamed weak laws for this crisis.
On the other hand, Trump insisted gun rights protect freedom. He told supporters that the government wanted to take away their weapons. To support his point, he cited a case from Belize. A passenger with a gun stopped a hijacker on a small plane. His supporters saw this as proof that guns save lives.
Critics See Contradictions
However, critics saw flaws in Trump’s argument. He praised armed citizens but survived thanks to Secret Service agents, not civilians. He also ignored studies showing that easy gun access increases gun deaths.
Even so, many rural and suburban voters agreed with him. They viewed gun ownership as part of their freedom. Although the NRA lost members and faced legal issues, it still backed Trump in 2024.
Far-Right Threats and Easy Access
The Florida shooter showed how dangerous the mix of radical views and easy gun access can be. Some Trump supporters held white supremacist beliefs, which Trump rarely condemned.
Furthermore, Trump rejected any restrictions for people with extremist views. Experts warned that his words could fuel online radicalisation.
Despite growing concerns, Trump repeated false claims. He avoided discussing safe storage laws or waiting periods. Instead, he pushed the idea that guns keep people safe from crime and government control.
America’s Ongoing Gun Debate
In the end, Trump’s personal brush with death didn’t change his views. He remained a strong voice for the Second Amendment. He believed guns prevent violence, not cause it.
Meanwhile, public frustration continues to grow. In 2023 alone, over 47,000 people died from gun violence in the U.S. That number actually fell under Biden to 13.7 deaths per 100,000, according to Pew Research.
Now, as Trump begins a new term, America faces a tough question: How can the country balance individual rights with public safety? Trump, once again, stands at the center of that debate.
