Harris' aide calls VP's shooting intruder remark 'a joke', critics say she is 'trying to have both ways'

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign adviser dismissed the vice president's recent remarks about shooting anyone intruding into her house as "a joke."

In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper on Friday, September 20, Harris' adviser, Keisha Lance Bottoms, defended the Democratic presidential nominee following the comments she made during her recent interview with Oprah Winfrey. 

"It was a joke, and she knew we’d still be discussing it today," Bottoms stated in defense of the vice president. "It's important for people to understand that the Vice President respects the right to bear arms and supports the Second Amendment, but she advocates for responsible gun ownership and wants our communities to be safe," as per The Hill.

Kamala Harris' adviser says VP's shooting intruder quip 'humanizes' her

The Kamala Harris campaign adviser further downplayed the VP's comments from her interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired on September 19, claiming it "humanizes" her in a way that many people rarely see.

Speaking to Oprah, Harris quipped that if anybody broke into her house, they were "getting shot."

Upon realizing the gravity of her remark, she attempted to soften it, laughingly saying she "should not" have made that comment and adding that her staff would "deal with that later."

Harris, who served as California's attorney general for over half a decade before entering national politics, stated that she owned a gun during her September 10 debate with former President Donald Trump. Her running mate, Minnesota Gov Tim Walz, is also a gun owner.

During her conversation with Winfrey, the vice president defended her gun control policies. She ascended to the role of Democratic presidential candidate after President Joe Biden's historic withdrawal from the race.

Harris emphasized her belief in the Second Amendment, stating that she did not intend to take away people's guns. She described the measures she supports as "just common sense."

During her first presidential campaign in 2019, the vice president explicitly stated that she was a gun owner.

“I am a gun owner, and I own a gun for probably the reason a lot of people do — for personal safety," the then-senator from California said. "I was a career prosecutor."

Internet slams Kamala Harris as her adviser calls shooting intruder statement 'a joke'

Kamala Harris' adviser's dismissal of the VP's remarks about shooting anyone breaking into her home as "a joke" sparked backlash on social media. Netizens slammed her for deeming gun ownership as a matter of joke.

"So basically trying to have it both ways. What a shock," a user said.

"So, she has a gun, and if someone broke into her home, she would not shoot them with the gun she has. The gun is for decoration. Ok," another added.

"Idk how people can take that women seriously, especially when they think she can run the country," wrote a user.

"She did say her staff would handle it," someone else remarked.

"So for Harris owning a gun is a joking matter ???" one person questioned.

"So lying but trying to score points anyway. Got it," another user wrote.

"Why is it a joke, that's why we have guns to protect ourselves," an individual added.

"Jokes not allowed. At least not when it comes to guns & crime," a user opined.

"Yet when Trump says something that is a joke, they go bat crazy," read another remark.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.