Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House has ignited a renewed sense of urgency among gun-safety groups. Trump’s self-proclaimed status as “the best friend gun owners have ever had in the White House” signals a potential rollback of recent progress. However, instead of despair, organizations like Giffords are responding with determined defiance. Emma Brown, Giffords’ executive director, stated, “When you take a step back and you look at the multi-decade arc of this issue, it’s obvious that we have had lots of ups and downs… the first thought in my head [when Trump won] was: we’re ready for this.”
This preparedness stems from a recognition that the next four years will likely involve significant defensive efforts at the federal level. Despite disappointment over Kamala Harris’s loss, advocates remain optimistic about leveraging state-level actions and corporate accountability to advance their goals. John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We’ve been at this rodeo before… but we’ve got the playbook from 2016, and in some ways, I think we’re in much better shape than we were in 2016.” This improved position is partly due to the diminished influence of the National Rifle Association (NRA).
During Trump’s first term, the NRA wielded considerable power, contributing over $30 million to his campaign and enjoying significant access to the White House. However, the NRA has since suffered from internal strife, legal troubles, and financial mismanagement, dramatically reducing its political clout. Its 2024 contribution to Trump’s campaign plummeted to just $4 million, and a top NRA official reportedly indicated that Trump had “lost faith” in the organization.
This shift in the political landscape, coupled with the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) in 2022 – the first major federal gun safety bill in nearly three decades – has created a more favorable environment for gun safety advocates. While Trump could potentially undo some aspects of the BSCA and other gun safety measures, the political climate has shifted significantly. Key Republican senators who supported the BSCA have publicly affirmed their commitment to the law, making a full repeal unlikely.
With federal action seemingly limited in the near future, gun safety groups plan to focus their efforts on the states. Since 2012, states have enacted over 700 gun safety laws, and Democrats have maintained a strong presence in many state legislatures. This presents a promising avenue for continued progress. Brown emphasizes, “We see states as the testing ground in a lot of ways for some of our most innovative solutions to this problem.”
Beyond state-level action, groups like Guns Down America are targeting corporate accountability. Their “Business Must Act” campaign urges corporations to adopt stricter gun policies, leveraging their financial power and influence to support gun safety initiatives. This strategy has proven successful in the past, as evidenced by Walmart’s response to pressure following a mass shooting.
The resilience of gun safety advocates, exemplified by Gabby Giffords’ unwavering commitment following her own traumatic experience, underscores their determination. Their commitment to pursuing progress, even in the face of setbacks, reflects a long-term strategy that extends beyond the limitations of any single presidential term. As Brown concluded, this is “a moment for courage and fortitude and the pursuit of unlikely allies.”