Harris to Gun-Control Activists: 'The Freedom to Just Be' and 'You Are Critical' (August 11, 2023)

Vice President Kamala Harris told a Chicago gun-control conference that the fight was about freedom. “And it — and it is about freedom, right? And including — and this is a very maybe simple point, but I think very important: the freedom to just be. (Applause.) To just be. To be safe,” Harris said on Aug. 11, 2023, according to the official White House transcript [1].

She was at Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund’s annual Gun Sense University conference, speaking “in front of thousands of Moms Demand Action members, Students Demand Action volunteers, and survivors of gun violence from across the country,” a White House official told the press pool [2].

The video above shows Harris’s remarks on Aug. 11, 2023. Quotes are from the official White House transcript, the vice presidential pool reports published by the American Presidency Project, the National Archives and the Federal Register [1][2][3][4].

”Is Critical — Is Critical — Is Critical”

A student activist from Pennsylvania asked about young people. “How do you see my generation playing a role in this movement? And what do you think we should be doing?” [1]

“Your generation is critical — is critical — is critical to this issue. (Applause.) You are critical to this issue. We are counting on you. We need you. You are critical to this issue. You are everything, everything, everything,” Harris answered [1].

The pool reporter wrote that Harris, “who had been seated for the discussion, stood up and pointed,” and that “The VP appeared to have tears in her eyes — and then sat down.” [2]

“I Love Venn Diagrams”

Harris brought back a favorite line. “So, Jason, I’d love — okay, so this is where you’re going to hear the geek in me: I love Venn diagrams,” she said [1].

She said she had “asked my team to prepare a Venn diagram on from where are we seeing the attacks on voting rights, on people’s access and right to reproductive health care, on LGBTQ rights.” [1]

Then came the list of freedoms. “The freedom to exercise your right to exercise your voice through the ballot. The freedom to make decisions about your own body and not having the government trying to tell you what to do,” Harris said [1].

”Renew the Assault Weapons Ban”

Harris said some people were “just trying to sell a false choice.” “That false choice be to suggest that you’re either in favor of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone’s guns away,” she said [1].

“I believe in the Second Amendment, but I also believe we need to renew the assault weapons ban. We need red flag laws. We need universal background checks,” Harris said [1].

“Her remarks come just hours after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the state’s assault weapons ban, a law that also halted the sale of high-capacity magazines,” the pool reported [2].

”A Weapon of War”

Harris opened on a hopeful note. “You know, there is so much about what’s happening in our country that can cause people to stay awake at night. But when I look out at this crowd, I know our future is bright. I know our future is bright,” she said [1].

She also called safety a right. “I do believe that the right to be safe should be thought of as a civil right and —” she said before an audience member spoke up, adding: ”— and — and as a human right.” [1]

On assault weapons, the pool quoted her: “It is reasonable to say that a weapon of war, a weapon that was literally designed to kill a lot of human beings quickly, has no place on the streets of a civilized society.” [2]

“Vote.gov”

Actor Jason George, a moderator, asked how she was thinking about the issue “right now, in this moment.” The pool reported: “Harris said, ‘Vote.gov,’ to applause.” [2]

“The moderated discussion with the VP — about 31 minutes — ended at 1:31 p.m.,” the pool reported. “Friday marks the vice president’s ninth trip to Illinois since taking office.” [2]

By the Numbers

5: times Harris said “critical” in one answer [1].
31: minutes of the discussion, per the pool [2].
9: Harris’s trips to Illinois as vice president, per the pool [2].
312-226: the 2024 Electoral College result, Donald Trump over Harris [3].

What Happened Next

Voters chose Trump. In 2024, Harris lost the presidency to Donald Trump. The National Archives lists the result as “Electoral Vote Winner: 312 Main Opponent: 226.” [3]

Trump moved to protect gun rights. On Feb. 7, 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14206, “Protecting Second Amendment Rights.” “The Second Amendment is an indispensable safeguard of security and liberty,” it says. “Because it is foundational to maintaining all other rights held by Americans, the right to keep and bear arms must not be infringed.” [4]

The order told the attorney general to review “All Presidential and agencies’ actions from January 2021 through January 2025 that purport to promote safety but may have impinged on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.” [4]

For Harris’s Venn diagram line in 2022, see HYGO News’ page on Oct. 28, 2022. For her Chicago speech a month earlier, see the page on July 16, 2023.