EDITORS' CORNER
Key Takeaways
- The author criticizes the Left for advocating for more gun control laws while simultaneously undermining law enforcement and enabling criminals, suggesting that this reflects a desire for political power rather than genuine concern for public safety.
- Professor Paul Kettl from the University of Pennsylvania promotes a public health approach to gun violence, which the author vehemently opposes, claiming that the Left's intentions are not focused on saving lives but on disarming the public.
- The article argues that the NRA supports strict penalties for illegal gun use, in contrast to progressive policies perceived as lenient towards criminals, which the author believes exacerbates gun violence rather than alleviates it.
OPINION: No, we’re not going to leave ourselves defenseless while liberal lawmakers and judges regularly loose criminals into our communities.
Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday, and aside from the disgusting and pathetic comments emanating from many on the Left, there also was the usual yelling of “BUT GUNS!!”
But the Right aren’t comprised of morons. They know the Left doesn’t want a gun ban because they’re interested in saving lives. If that were the case, they wouldn’t be in favor of defunding police departments, making every excuse in the book for career criminals, and letting those career criminals back on the street with barely a slap on the wrist.
Oh, and don’t forget about abortion on demand.
The Left wants to ban guns simply because it will increase their power: You won’t be allowed to have one, but they will. They want us to become like the U.K. and Australia. Or worse.
As Mao Zedong said many years ago, “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”
So to the University of Pennsylvania psychiatry professor highlighted by the student paper The Daily Pennsylvanian last week (notably, before Kirk’s murder) who wants even more gun laws on the books as part of a “public health approach”: Sorry, pal, but you’ve just gotta be kidding.
Hilariously and ironically, The D.P. notes Prof. Paul Kettl’s ideas “echo” recent research from UPenn which “emphasize[s] the importance of ‘spreading kindness and love as a strategy.’”
Kettl (pictured) complained about the National Rifle Association over a decade ago, writing “If you have a gun to ‘protect’ your home, the person most likely to die from that gun is you” … and the next person most likely to die is someone other than the assailant of a “self-protection shooting.”
He said the NRA “is not teaching” its mantra of using guns “safely and responsibly” as it did when he was a teenager, claiming it uses “fear and condemnation to avoid even the most sensible, obvious changes needed in our gun laws.”
But the NRA supports the vigorous prosecution and incarceration of people who use guns illegally – even severe penalties for possessing them illegally. It’s progressive lawyers and judges who don’t.
“Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.” — Mao
Much of this stems from what I call Oppression Studies theory. We see this today via “defund the police,” no cash bail, not being allowed to suspend disruptive students from school, and the revolving prison doors for repeat violent offenders (the most infamous of whom recently is the man who stabbed a woman to death on a North Carolina train).
Oppression Studies adherents believe such criminals aren’t actually responsible for their actions. Society has imposed upon them many wrongs, most stemming from the “white supremacy” that, according to the 1619 Project, began over 400 years ago.
Inherently racist nanny-state programs like the Great Society and forced busing made liberals feel very good about themselves … but destroyed the families and communities they were supposed to aid.
And don’t forget about how those who choose to defend themselves (Kyle Rittenhouse) or others in need (Daniel Penny) are made out to be the villains by the Left and their media/Hollywood allies.
Speaking of which, the day Charlie Kirk was killed, pundit Matthew Dowd (who taught at the University of Texas and currently is a Fellow at U. Chicago’s Institute of Politics) said on MSNBC Kirk is one of the “most divisive” figures who “is constantly sort of pushing this sort of … hate speech that’s aimed at certain groups.”
He then added “hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.” In other words, Kirk brought it on himself. Because he said some things the Left didn’t like.
The day before Kirk’s murder, liberal U.S. Senator Chris Murphy told an interviewer “We’re in a war right now to save this country. And so you have to be willing to do whatever is necessary in order to save the country” (emphasis added).
My local state representative posted this out-of-context meme within minutes after news that Kirk was shot (he later “modified” it):
So in conclusion, let me merely offer a huge SORRY! to the all the progressives who want to ban guns or severely restrict private possession of them. Screw you. We won’t become your sitting ducks.
