The Gun Writer talks about what Trump’s Victory will mean for Gun Rights
What does the election of Donald Trump as president mean for gun rights? Well, the Second Amendment Foundation’s Lee Williams joined host Steve Gruber to discuss that very thing.
In a recent interview on The Steve Gruber Show, host Steve Gruber sat down with Lee Williams, the chief investigative reporter for the Second Amendment Foundation, to discuss the potential implications of a second term for former President Donald Trump on gun owners and Second Amendment rights. The conversation covered a wide range of topics, from the future of gun rights legislation to the broader political landscape surrounding the Second Amendment.
Gruber began the discussion by asking Williams for his take on what a re-election of Donald Trump might mean for the Second Amendment. Williams, a veteran investigative journalist and staunch advocate for gun rights, explained that Trump’s first term had seen both victories and challenges for gun owners, with significant action on the federal level. The most notable achievement, according to Williams, was the Trump administration’s appointment of three Supreme Court justices, which shifted the ideological balance of the court and created a more favorable environment for defending Second Amendment rights.
“The judiciary is critical,” Williams said. “Trump’s appointments to the Supreme Court and other federal courts were huge for gun rights. You now have a court that, at least on paper, is more likely to uphold Second Amendment rights in a way that has not been seen in decades.”
Williams pointed out that several key cases, like New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), in which the Supreme Court ruled that Americans have a right to carry firearms in public, were outcomes of that judicial shift. He noted that Trump’s continued influence in appointing judges to the lower courts also plays a critical role in shaping the future of gun laws nationwide.
Gruber then steered the conversation toward the political dynamics of a potential second Trump term. He asked Williams whether Trump’s re-election would lead to significant action on issues like federal gun control or national reciprocity for concealed carry. Williams responded cautiously, noting that while Trump had largely supported gun rights during his first term, his presidency was not without some controversies, such as his support for certain “red flag” laws, which allow for the temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed a threat. However, Williams believed that Trump had learned from some of these missteps, especially in light of the backlash from his base.
“I think Trump is much more cautious now when it comes to anything that could be seen as a compromise on the Second Amendment,” Williams explained. “His base is deeply loyal to him, and gun rights advocates are one of the most passionate, vocal groups. He understands that, and I think he will be more attuned to their concerns moving forward.”
The conversation shifted to the broader implications of a Trump re-election for state-level gun laws. Williams was optimistic that Trump’s second term would allow for a more hands-off federal approach to gun regulation, leaving states and localities to handle their own laws, within the confines of the Constitution. He noted that the federal government has become increasingly involved in gun control efforts, particularly under the Biden administration, but that Trump’s policies had generally leaned toward deregulation.
“A second term for Trump could mean a much-needed pause in the federal push for more restrictive gun laws,” Williams said. “He could undo some of the executive actions taken by the current administration, particularly in regard to so-called ‘ghost guns’ and the push for universal background checks. And importantly, he could continue to advocate for things like national concealed carry reciprocity, which would allow gun owners with valid concealed carry permits to carry their firearms across state lines.”
Gruber and Williams also discussed the state of the NRA under a potential second Trump presidency. While the National Rifle Association (NRA) had faced significant financial and leadership struggles in recent years, Williams argued that a Trump re-election could provide the NRA with a much-needed resurgence. With the political winds in favor of gun owners, Williams suggested that the NRA could regain its footing and return to its advocacy role as the leading voice for Second Amendment rights.
However, Williams was cautious about putting too much faith in any single organization. He emphasized the need for grassroots activism, especially as state-level gun control efforts are becoming more prevalent in places like California, New York, and Illinois. The increasing influence of anti-gun groups, such as Everytown for Gun Safety, was another point of concern.
In closing, Gruber asked Williams what gun owners could expect in the coming years, regardless of the outcome of the election. Williams struck a note of both optimism and caution, acknowledging that while there were reasons for hope, the fight to preserve Second Amendment rights would require continued vigilance. “Whether Trump wins or loses, we have to stay engaged, we have to stay active, and we have to make sure that our rights are protected at every level of government,” Williams said.
The conversation underscored the high stakes for gun owners in the upcoming presidential election. With a potential second term for Trump, gun rights advocates hope to see a return to policies that respect and uphold the Second Amendment, but, as Williams pointed out, the real work lies in remaining vigilant and proactive in the defense of those rights.
Lee Williams is also known as The Gun Writer and has been writing about the Second Amendment, firearms, the firearms industry, and the gun culture for more than ten years. He is the Chief Editor of the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Reporting Project and is a frequent contributor to Ammoland News and Armed American Radio. In addition, Lee serves as a board member of Florida Carry, Inc. He was also an editor for a daily newspaper in Florida. Before becoming a newspaper editor, Lee was an investigative reporter in three states and a U.S. Territory. Before becoming a journalist, he worked as a police officer. Before becoming a cop, Lee served in the Army. Lee has earned more than a dozen national journalism awards as a reporter and three medals of valor as a police officer.
