Staff Reports
Political discussions can sometimes feel downright simplistic. On the surface, it appears easy enough: either support a policy or don’t. However, when the topic turns to gun control, things can quickly devolve into a circus of absurdity punctuated by self-deception from those who should know better.
Following the 2024 elections, the Democrats are nursing their collective wounds and spinning narratives to soothe their egos. However, one recent claim out of Tennessee takes self-delusion to a whole new level. They’re trying to paint a picture of gun control as a roaring success when, in fact, they might have just won the “most perplexing performance” award in a political theater that’s already jam-packed with absurdities.
The narrative floating around suggests that gun control was a prominent victor during the election cycle, particularly in Memphis. Here, a handful of referenda passed with supposed bipartisan support, demanding items like a permit requirement to carry a gun, a ban on assault weapons, and red flag laws targeting those they deem dangerous. Yet, the reality is far less glamorous. These referenda were nothing more than glorified wish lists. They legally lack any binding authority and are as actionable as insisting one can lose weight by simply thinking about a salad.
Instead of heralding sweeping reform, what happened reflects a classic case of misrepresenting localized sentiment as statewide endorsement. The folks down in Memphis may have expressed their cravings for stricter laws, but Tennessee as a whole remains one of the most pro-gun states in the nation. It’s essential to remember that while voting patterns may highlight urban frustrations, they don’t capture the true breadth of sentiment across the Volunteer State.
To add to the hilarity, the narrative also features a recent victory for Democrat Shaundelle Brooks in Nashville, where she won a District 60 seat by defeating Republican Chad Bobo. It’s wonderful that Brooks is championing gun reform, but let’s not forget—this is just one seat in a larger legislative landscape where the majority still stands firmly in favor of the Second Amendment. It’s akin to celebrating a singles tennis match victory while ignoring that the overall tournament was lost 6-0.
Any serious discussion regarding gun policy in Tennessee should consider the fact that, despite isolated victories at the local level, pro-gun candidates trounced their opponents statewide. When Donald Trump took a pro-Second Amendment stance and won the state by nearly 30 points, it was a clear indication that the people were not swayed by the fleeting trends of urban voters. Moreover, the gaffe-laden performances of anti-gun advocates who lost by margins that can only be described as pitiful should send a straightforward message: the folks in Tennessee are not interested in curtailing their Second Amendment rights.
In the end, the reality boils down to this: while Democrats cling to a veneer of success in localized elections, their attempts to reclaim the narrative surrounding gun control continue to be met with a resounding “no thanks” from the wider population. It’s time for them to accept that the gun control mantra is not resonating outside their insulated urban enclaves. Gun rights are alive and well in Tennessee, and denying that reality is only going to lead to more embarrassing headlines in the months to come.
