Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing scrutiny over a resurfaced video from 2018 in which he mentioned handling assault weapons 'in war.' The video, circulated by the Harris campaign, shows Walz expressing support for an assault weapons ban by stating, 'We can make sure those weapons of war, that I carried in war, are only carried in war.'
In response to the video, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, Lauren Hitt, clarified that Governor Walz misspoke in the clip and would never intend to undermine the service of any American. Hitt emphasized that Walz's statement was in the context of advocating for stricter gun control measures.
Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has criticized Walz, accusing him of 'stolen valor' due to his military record. Walz served in the Minnesota Army National Guard for 24 years and deployed to Italy in 2003 in support of the US war effort in Afghanistan. However, he did not serve in a combat zone during his deployment.
Despite the controversy, Hitt reiterated that Governor Walz believes that only military personnel trained to handle such weapons should have access to them. She contrasted Walz's stance with that of President Donald Trump and JD Vance, whom she accused of prioritizing the interests of the gun lobby over the safety of children.
The incident has sparked a debate over gun control policies and the role of military experience in shaping political perspectives. Governor Walz's military service and his advocacy for stricter gun regulations have become focal points in the ongoing discussion surrounding his candidacy as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate.
