A video of Donald Trump admiring a handgun with a likeness to him branded on it has prompted questions over whether the former president is eligible to buy one.
Former president Trump – who is facing 91 criminal charges across four indictments – was filmed inspecting the Glock 45 on a visit to South Carolina. He was flanked by a number of aides including House GOP ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
The Trump campaign posted a video of the discussion on Monday, which has since been deleted, causing debate over whether he had broken the law.
The post said Trump had “purchased” the Glock, with the caption “Trump 45,” – a reference to him being the 45th President of the United States.
The Video In Question
In the now-deleted post by Spokesman Steven Cheung, Trump is seen admiring the gun in a South Carolina store. “I want to buy one,” Trump said in the video. “Isn’t a Glock a great gun?”
The video prompted questions as to whether he had acted illegally. Under federal law, individuals under a felony indictment are barred from receiving a gun “which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce” – a crime which is punishable by more than a year in prison.
This law is currently being challenged following a Supreme Court decision which created new standards for firearm restrictions. The 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen has made it much easier to challenge gun regulations by requiring laws to be “consistent with the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.”
The Purchase That Never Was
Trump posed for several pictures with the gun, but did not actually purchase it.
Logan Richardson, director of marketing for Palmetto State Armory, told Forbes in an email: “We were honored to have [Trump] visit the store and speak to our ownership, but there was no purchase made.”
In addition, the Trump campaign also denied that any purchase was made. “President Trump did not purchase or take possession of the firearm. He simply indicated that he wanted one,” the campaign said in a statement.
Perhaps even more bizarrely, the Republican frontrunner shared another user’s post on his social media site declaring “Trump just bought a golden Glock,” seemingly contradicting his own campaign’s defense of his innocence. It would not be the first time Trump backtracked on a decision, following an incident in a Miami restaurant in June where he declared “food for everyone” before leaving without paying.
WOW – President Donald Trump just purchased a Glock 19 handgun.
The 2nd amendment is important for the safety and freedom of all Americans, including President Trump.
Do you support Americans purchasing firearms to protect themselves and their families? Comment ???? pic.twitter.com/NDohWADwy1
— The Trump Train ???????????? (@The_Trump_Train) September 25, 2023
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist based in Canada. He has written for the Western Standard, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo, and has covered notable events including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
