How Trump Defended the Second Amendment: Refuting the Gun Control Narrative

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Former Pagan, Christian Conservative LDS Priest

---

One common critique I hear from conservatives, liberals, and even some libertarians is that Donald Trump enacted more gun control than Barack Obama. This claim is often made without fully examining the broader context of Trump’s presidency, or the significant steps he took to protect gun rights. I’ve reviewed the accusations and the available data in detail, and I’m going to address these points thoroughly. I’ll present a clear picture that shows Trump was, in fact, a staunch defender of the Second Amendment. Let’s dismantle the idea that Trump was more anti-gun than his predecessor.

The Claim: Trump Passed More Gun Control Than Obama
This assertion usually revolves around a few main events during Trump’s presidency:

1. The Bump Stock Ban: Critics often point to the ATF’s reclassification of bump stocks as machine guns under Trump’s administration, which effectively banned their ownership. This is cited as a major anti-gun action.
2. The “Fix NICS” Act: Trump signed legislation to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), aiming to prevent people who are legally prohibited from owning guns from slipping through the cracks.
3. Red Flag Laws Encouragement: Some believe Trump signaled support for states implementing their own “red flag” laws, though no federal law was passed on this matter during his tenure.

Refutation in Detail
To understand Trump’s stance, we must examine the broader context:

• Bump Stock Ban Reality:
  • While the bump stock ban was controversial, it was not a legislative action. It was a regulatory decision made by the ATF.
  • Bump stocks were a niche accessory. Their ban did not directly affect most gun owners’ rights.
  • Many argue that the ATF’s reclassification could be overturned or reconsidered under future administrations, making it a temporary regulatory issue rather than a fundamental shift in gun policy.
• Fix NICS Act Context:
  • The Fix NICS Act was supported by a wide bipartisan coalition in response to glaring lapses in the background check system.
  • Rather than imposing new restrictions, the legislation aimed to ensure that the existing system worked as intended.
  • Obama’s tenure saw numerous efforts to expand background checks and push for assault weapon bans. Fix NICS, by contrast, didn’t expand who was prohibited from buying firearms—it simply enforced the current rules.
• Red Flag Laws and Trump’s Position:
  • Trump’s comments on red flag laws were statements of support for state-level initiatives, not federal mandates.
  • Despite his remarks, no federal red flag legislation passed during Trump’s presidency.
  • Meanwhile, many Democrat-led proposals for sweeping federal gun restrictions were defeated under his administration.

Obama’s Record vs. Trump’s Record:

• Under Obama, the Department of Justice encouraged banks to sever ties with firearm-related businesses (Operation Choke Point). Trump ended this practice.
• Obama’s executive orders and proposals sought to expand background checks and limit certain types of firearms and accessories. Many of these initiatives didn’t succeed legislatively, but the intent to enact stricter gun control was clear.
• Trump, despite controversy over bump stocks and background check improvements, did not introduce broad firearm bans, mandatory buybacks, or sweeping restrictions on commonly owned guns.

Conclusion:
When weighing the actions of the two administrations, it’s evident that Trump’s record on gun rights is far more protective than that of Obama. The bump stock ban, though troubling to some gun owners, was a narrow regulatory change. Fix NICS was about improving compliance with existing laws, not creating new restrictions. Trump’s administration also actively defended gun rights in other ways, including judicial appointments that upheld the Second Amendment and dismantling Obama-era anti-gun initiatives.

The idea that Trump enacted “more gun control than Obama” simply doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. Assertions like this thrive on incomplete data and a lack of context. When you look at the totality of Trump’s policies and decisions, it becomes clear that he consistently supported and defended Americans’ right to bear arms.

Citations:

1. ATF. (2019). “Bump-Stock-Type Devices Final Rule.”
2. Fix NICS Act of 2018, Public Law No: 115-141.
3. National Rifle Association. (2017). “Trump Administration Rolls Back Obama-Era Operation Choke Point.”
4. Judicial Appointments Data - Federal Judicial Center.
5. Trump, D. J. (2018). “Remarks on State-Level Red Flag Laws.”