Matt Gaetz as Attorney General would be Catastrophic to the Gun Violence Prevention Movement

November 14, 2024

DENVER – Yesterday, President-elect Donald Trump announced former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as his nomination to serve as attorney general of the United States. Guns Down America Executive Director Hudson Munoz, released the following statement:

“The nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz is an affront to the notion of the rule of law. If confirmed, his appointment would be a historic setback for progress to ending the gun violence epidemic. Matt Gaetz's legislative track record, as far back as his time during the Florida legislature, demonstrates his clear agenda to dismantle gun violence protection measures. From advocating for open carry laws in Florida as a ‘God-given right’ to attempts to silence Parkland parents in congressional hearings, Matt Gaetz has continuously shown he aims to strengthen the gun lobby and industry at the expense of his constituents.”

BACKGROUND:

• Gaetz has pushed an extremist approach to gun policy since his days in the Florida state legislature, including calling the right to openly carry firearms in public a “God-given right.”
• When Gaetz was serving in the Florida legislature, he sponsored legislation that would punish cities and towns for enforcing local gun ordinances.
• Following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in August 2013, Gaetz strongly defended Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law, saying he did not want to change one comma of the law.
• In 2015, Gaetz introduced an open-carry bill that would have allowed individuals to carry firearms anywhere, including schools or churches.
• In 2019, Gaetz attempted to eject two Parkland parents from a hearing after they objected to his suggestion that a wall along the southern border would be a more appropriate response to school shootings than background check legislation.
• In 2021, Gaetz said that the Second Amendment is for “armed rebellion” but denied that he was attempting to foment violence.
• In November 2021, when Kyle Rittenhouse was still on trial for killing two people during a protest the previous summer, Gaetz said he would be willing to give Rittenhouse a job in his office. In July 2024, Gaetz launched his re-election campaign by appearing alongside Rittenhouse at a campaign rally at a gun store in his district.
• Gaetz participated in efforts to overturn the 2020 election, voted against certification of the results and has defended the rioters since the moment they left the Capitol.
• Gaetz has opposed attempts to regulate pistol braces and in 2023 introduced legislation to abolish the agency.