During a California fundraising event, President Biden reiterated his stance on gun control, arguing against the necessity of AR-15s for private citizens. He referenced the Second Amendment, asserting that it doesn't grant the right to own any weapon imaginable, citing historical restrictions on weaponry like cannons. Biden suggested that those wishing to oppose the government would require more substantial firepower than an AR-15, mentioning an F-16 fighter jet. He also claimed that the profitability of AR-15s drives their popularity within the firearms industry.
These remarks echo similar statements made by Biden earlier this year, where he contrasted AR-15s with F-15 fighter jets in the context of challenging the federal government. He alluded to a quote often attributed to Thomas Jefferson about the "tree of liberty" being watered by the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Biden's assertion that the Second Amendment has always had limitations has been fact-checked and found to be inaccurate. The Second Amendment itself doesn't specify restrictions on the types of weapons individuals can own. Federal gun control legislation didn't emerge until 1934. However, the Constitution does empower Congress to issue "Letters of Marque and Reprisal," historically granting private citizens the authority to engage enemy vessels during wartime, which sometimes involved the use of cannons.
Throughout his presidency, Biden has advocated for stricter gun control measures. In 2022, he signed a significant gun control bill into law, marking a major legislative development in this area.
