President-elect Donald Trump’s Attorney General nominee defended her record on gun policy during her confirmation hearing.
On Wednesday, Pam Bondi told the Senate she stood by her record on guns. When Senator Alex Padilla (D., Calif.) questioned her, Bondi emphasized that she has “always been pro-Second Amendment.” However, she also said she’d follow applicable laws.
“I am an advocate for the Second Amendment, but I will enforce the laws of the land,” Bondi said.
When Senator Padilla asked if she’d support raising the minimum age for firearm purchases, implementing “Red Flag” laws, and passing universal background checks, she didn’t commit one way or the other. Instead, she offered to follow up with him after the hearing.
“I would be glad to meet with you and review any legislation you have, Senator,” Bondi responded.
If confirmed as attorney general, Bondi will have broad input on how federal gun laws are enforced. She will oversee the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Her views on gun policy will likely also shape the Justice Department’s approach to defending federal gun laws against Second Amendment challenges. Bondi’s decision not to walk back her support for new gun restrictions during her time as Florida Attorney General and the fact no Republican Senators questioned her about those views despite public opposition from several gun-rights groups signal the GOP is prioritizing other factors over strict adherence to pro-gun policies when considering Trump’s top nominees.
After all, Senator Padilla asked about Bondi’s background on guns because he approved of her support for temporary gun confiscation measures, often called “Red Flag” laws, and other restrictions during her tenure in Florida. However, many of those restrictions were ones that Trump himself voiced support for at the time. In fact, Trump brought Bondi to the White House to discuss potential solutions after the Parkland school shooting in 2018.
“I’ve had my solicitor general on it for three days now working on it,” she told him at the time. “We’ve been rewriting it, and we’re going to bring in something called the gun violence restraining order.”
In a later interview with Fox Business, Bondi defended then-Governor Rick Scott (R.) and his administration’s push for a collection of new gun-control laws. That package included a bump-stock ban and a measure raising the minimum age to purchase a rifle or shotgun to 21.
“In a time of crisis, it’s about finding common ground, and that’s what Governor Scott’s done,” she said. “That’s why nothing ever gets done in Congress, in my opinion. People are so polarized to one side or the other. We just experienced a traumatic school shooting in Florida, and it’s finding common ground, something both sides can agree on.”
Bondi had a back-and-forth relationship with prominent gun-rights groups during her tenure as Florida AG as well. While she earned an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association during her 2010 run for the position, she also clashed with the group over several legal cases. Similarly, Florida Carry labeled her anti-Second Amendment during a 2013 legal battle over open carry.
“We have not seen a Florida Attorney General take such drastic anti-Second Amendment positions since 1987 when Bob Butterworth fought tooth and nail against concealed carry licensing,” Sean Caranna, the group’s executive director, said at the time.
Since leaving office, she has rarely discussed gun policy. However, she became an early defender of Kyle Rittenhouse for his fatal shooting of two men and wounding of another during the 2020 rioting in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“People have to understand out there that this was a war zone,” Bondi told Fox News’ Sean Hannity during a September 2020 interview. “You’ve got a 17-year-old trying to protect his state.”
Rittenhouse became a cause célèbre for some conservatives and gun-rights advocates during his subsequent trial and was ultimately acquitted on all charges by a jury in November 2021.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Bondi described her gun views as being an outgrowth of her experience responding to major mass shootings in Florida and around the country.
“I am pro-Second Amendment. I have always been pro-Second Amendment,” she said. “I will follow the laws of my state of Florida and our country, of course. Regarding any gun laws, I worked that shooting, meaning I was there when 17 family members were notified–I was there–that their children were murdered. Also, Pulse Nightclub. I also went to Nevada to help with the MGM shooting. The Attorney General at the time asked me to come out there. I believe over 60 people were murdered there.”
Numerous Senators, including Senator Padilla, said they expect Bondi to be confirmed once they take up her nomination vote.
“I know how to count, and I know how to read tea leaves,” Padilla said. “It seems to me you’re very, very, very likely to be confirmed, and I look forward to working with you and your office on the issues I’ve raised today.”
