In the aftermath of two devastating mass shootings within a week—one at Asian spas in Atlanta and another at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado—Senate Republicans have reignited the debate on gun control. Surprisingly, they now argue that stricter gun laws could be racially discriminatory.
During a recent Senate Judiciary Committee meeting focused on gun violence, GOP lawmakers positioned gun control as a continuation of America’s troubling history of infringing upon the rights of minority groups. This comes from the very same GOP members who have previously dismissed the existence of systemic racism and opposed educational initiatives on these issues.
Senator Mike Lee of Utah remarked, “In American history, it is rarely the empowered or well-connected who have their rights infringed upon.” This framing sparked a notable moment during the hearing when Chris Cheng, a competitive shooter and winner of the History Channel’s “Top Shot,” shared his perspective. He linked gun control to historical injustices, such as the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, stating, “We need to defend ourselves.”
Senator Ted Cruz echoed sentiments typically associated with gun control advocates, emphasizing the need for action over mere thoughts and prayers. He criticized proposals for an assault weapon ban and universal background checks, labeling them as ineffective gestures.
Currently, the Senate is not deliberating any gun control legislation, despite the House having passed two bills aimed at expanding background checks—a measure supported by a significant majority of voters across party lines. President Biden has urged Congress to act swiftly to close loopholes and limit the sale of assault-style weapons, citing their involvement in numerous mass shootings in recent years. He noted, “We can ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in this country once again.”
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Summary
Senate Republicans are framing opposition to gun control as a defense of minority rights against government overreach, despite their history of denying systemic racism. Following recent mass shootings, the debate intensifies, with calls for legislative action on background checks and assault weapon bans.
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