Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is running as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, has recently voiced support for stricter gun control measures, including a ban on certain firearms often referred to as “weapons of war.” Walz, who served in the Army National Guard for over two decades, emphasized his belief in balancing Second Amendment rights with commonsense gun laws.
In a video posted by the Harris campaign, Walz stated, “I spent 25 years in the Army, and I hunt. I’ve been voting for commonsense legislation that protects the Second Amendment, but we can do background checks. We can research the impacts of gun violence. We can make sure those weapons of war that I carried in war are only carried in war.”
Walz joined the Army National Guard in 1981 and retired in 2005 from the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery as a command sergeant major. Despite his lengthy service, Walz did not see combat, as confirmed in a 2018 interview with Minnesota Public Radio. He retired shortly after his battalion received orders for deployment to Iraq, a decision that has drawn criticism from some, including a fellow service member who took his place.
Throughout his political career, Walz has been a supporter of the Second Amendment, particularly during his tenure as a congressman representing a predominantly rural district. The National Rifle Association (NRA) previously awarded him an A rating for his support of gun ownership, and Guns & Ammo magazine included him in their 2016 list of America’s top 20 politicians for gun owners.
However, Walz’s stance on gun control has evolved over time. In 2017, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas, he announced that he would donate the approximately $18,000 he had received from the NRA to charity. The following year, he joined other Democrats in advocating for measures such as banning assault weapons, signaling a shift in his approach to gun legislation.
Walz’s current position reflects a nuanced perspective that seeks to reconcile his past support for gun rights with a growing concern over gun violence and public safety.
