The war between Russia and Ukraine has defined a number of American political objectives, including the right to keep and bear arms. Many of the Democrats in Congress that voted for military aid for Ukraine have been stalwart advocates for restrictions on the Second Amendment.
The aid for Ukraine comes during the debate over firearms rights closer to home.
Following the start of the war last February, the Ukrainian government carried out a widespread armament program among civilians, including giving 25,000 automatic weapons to civilians.
Furthermore, the expansion of the Ukrainian military represents one of the largest armament programs in recent history.
According to constitutional attorney Mark W. Smith, Democrats in Congress did not adequately weigh the rights of Americans owning firearms with the people of Ukraine.
He said that when the Ukrainian government offered such weapons to civilians, the political left “cheered.”
He also said that efforts to ban semiautomatic rifles in the U.S. as “weapons of war” contradicts the actions of President Joe Biden.
This includes the issue of at least 35,000 guns and 200 million rounds of ammunition donated to Ukraine.
Since the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Biden has called for a ban on “assault weapons.”
It’s time to finish the job and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Because who in God’s name needs a 100-round magazine on a gun? That's a weapon of war.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 14, 2023
The president recently wrote that it was “time to finish the job and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.”
“Because who in God’s name needs a 100-round magazine on a gun? That’s a weapon of war,” he recently tweeted.
The conflict appears to open a significant contradiction for the political left.
In addition, the United States has provided more than $100 billion in aid to the Eastern European nation, which includes ample amounts of weapons systems and ammunition.
This includes $113 billion in 2022 alone.
Evidence suggests an apparent disconnect between arms for a foreign nation and lawfully-owned firearms for American citizens among many Democrats in Congress.
Whether this affects policy in D.C. or Ukraine will be a matter of significant debate.
