JD Vance Throws Lead Down Range With US Marines During Quantico Visit

Vice President J.D. Vance shot machine guns and artillery at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, after giving a speech to Marines Wednesday.

Vance, who previously served in the Marines, fired five weapons during his visit to the shooting range, including a howitzer and a M240B medium machine gun. He shot the weapons after giving an encouraging speech to the current Marines about a “renewed sense of patriotism” and “commitment to excellence.”

Along with the M240B and howitzer, the vice president shot a M27 5.56 infantry rifle, a M107 .50 sniper, and an FPV drone that is currently in experiment, according to a pool report.

Vice President @JDVance fires an M240B medium machine gun at Quantico🔥 pic.twitter.com/uYT0VOGmgP

— William Martin (@wsmartin218) March 26, 2025

.@VP on the range: pic.twitter.com/6wfYOQAfaU

— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 26, 2025

Footage showed Vance firing the 105 mm howitzer at the range.

.@VP @JDVance fires a howitzer: pic.twitter.com/Mm6AyLVsqs

— Kristina Wong 🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) March 26, 2025

During his speech, Vance touted that every branch of the U.S. military has been meeting its recruiting goals since President Donald Trump reentered office, further promising to invest in the Marine Corps like the nation “has never seen before.” (RELATED: ‘Heir Apparent’: Here’s How JD Vance’s New RNC Role Put Him In Pole Position For 2028)

“We’re going to invest in the Marine Corps and the entire United States military like we never have before,” Vance told the crowd of Marines. “Over $1 trillion we’re going to invest and building up the entire manufacturing base of this country so that you guys, when you do go to war, when you have to go to war, have the best weapons anywhere in the world. We know from the long history of the United States of America that while the leading edge of American power is you all, it really matters what you guys have in your hands and what you guys have on your backs when you go to war.”

“So I promised you from the President of the United States, we are going to send you, if we have to send you to war, with the best equipment, the best ammunition, the best weapons. And we are going to empower you guys to win when you have to. That’s the purpose of the United States Marine Corps,” the vice president continued.

Young Marines awaiting Vance’s arrival appeared highly enthusiastic and excited for the vice president to meet them, The Daily Wire’s Mary Margaret Olohan reported.

Editor’s note: This story was updated to include details from the event’s press pool report. 

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