For gun-loving Americans, the indictment of Hunter Biden on Thursday puts their opposition to gun restrictions on a collision course with their disdain for a Democratic president who has tried to curb the use of the weapons in response to countless mass shootings.
“Gun Owners of America opposes all gun control, but as long as this President continues to use every weapon at his disposal to harass and criminalize guns, gun owners and gun dealers, his son should be getting the same treatment and scrutiny with us all. ,” Erich Pratt, senior vice president of the organization, said in a statement Thursday.
The statement from Gun Owners of America, one of the largest gun rights groups in the country, suggests how gun advocates will thread a needle when discussing the impeachment against the president’s son – who conservatives have been targeting in political attacks in the period before. to the 2024 election. The NRA issued a similar line on how Hunter Biden should be treated.
“Laws should be applied equally against all criminals,” NRA spokesman Billy McLaughlin told POLITICO in a brief statement.
There was Hunter Biden was indicted Thursday on three gun-related charges, which stems from his ownership of a pistol during a time when he openly admitted to using crack cocaine. His lawyers have previously said they would use the Second Amendment as a defense against such charges.
During his tenure as president, Joe Biden has shepherded through a bipartisan gun accord that placed modest restrictions on firearms, including funding for state-level “red flag” laws. And he has continue to advocate openly for more legislation to restrict guns, such as banning assault weapons and strengthening background checks.
Betsy Woodruff Swan contributed to this report.
