During a virtual campaign rally on Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris surprised Oprah Winfrey with her stance on gun ownership and use of force against intruders. The event was hosted by Winfrey and featured several celebrities as well as questions and stories from citizens across the country. As the conversation shifted to the issue of gun violence, Winfrey expressed her surprise when she learned that Harris owns a firearm. Harris’ response was lighthearted, stating that anyone attempting to break into her home would be shot.
The event, called the “Unite for America Rally,” was organized by Win with Black Women in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. The virtual rally also included over 140 other grassroots organizations, such as White Women: Answer the Call, Latinas for Harris, and White Dudes for Harris.
While Harris’ comment about protecting her home may have been intended as a joke, it highlights an issue of concern for many gun owners and opponents of stricter gun control measures. Critics argue that Harris has previously supported mandatory gun buybacks and gun control policies that could potentially infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families.
In 2007, when she served as San Francisco’s district attorney, Harris expressed support for warrantless searches of legal gun owners’ homes to ensure responsible storage and handling of firearms. Critics argue that this stance is inconsistent with her statement during the virtual rally, where she claimed she would not support taking away people’s guns.
Social media users have pushed back against Harris’ comments, pointing out her past statements in favor of mandatory gun buybacks and her history of advocating for stricter gun control measures. Some even accused her of hypocrisy, given that she has Secret Service protection but wants to limit the rights of ordinary citizens to protect themselves and their families.
The rally aimed to unite various grassroots organizations in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and demonstrate the widespread appeal of her policies among different demographics. Celebrities such as Bryan Cranston, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Jennifer Lopez, Tracee Ellis Ross, Julia Roberts, and Meryl Streep attended the event virtually.
The “Unite for America Rally” took place in Oakland County, Michigan, and featured Governor Gretchen Whitmer as a speaker, along with 400 attendees who participated in-person. The virtual rally was an opportunity for grassroots organizations to come together in support of Kamala Harris’ policies and demonstrate the diverse coalition that supports her candidacy.
