Identity politics is the idea of separating people into groups based on demographics like their skin color, sex, or nationality. Democrats use identity politics all the time when they claim to have the “African American vote” or when they claim to be a leader on “women’s issues.” The problem with using identity politics is that it can easily backfire on your agenda. That is exactly the problem Democrats are having with their gun control narrative. While they claim to be the champion of women and minorities living in poor neighborhoods, those are the very people most hurt by gun control.
Consider the recent case of a young black man living in Memphis who came home to find two men trying to burgle him. Immediately, the two assailants pulled out guns and began to shoot at the homeowner. Thankfully, the homeowner had a firearm of his own, and he managed to take down both of the intruders. These kinds of criminals are not uncommon in his neighborhood. Just last year, someone else shot at his house. When asked by a reporter about why he owned a firearm, he matter-o-factly stated, “I mean, we’re in Memphis, you’re going to need a gun.” Without a doubt, those living in poor neighborhoods are disproportionately hurt when guns are kept out of the hands of law-abiding citizens. These neighborhoods are under-policed and over-criminalized. Citizens have no recourse but to keep the means to defend themselves. When Democrats take away their guns, they are left without a means to defend their families. Rich Democrat fat cats in wealthy neighborhoods don’t need guns, minorities in impoverished neighborhoods do.
Women are also left vulnerable by Democrat anti-gun policies. It is a biological fact that women have less upper body strength than men. Guns, which are often called “the great equalizer,” literally give women a fighting chance against male criminals.
No matter how you slice it, Democrat’s identity politics backfire every time they try to apply it to the gun debate. The best position for women and minorities is to stand with the Second Amendment. The Republicans get it, Democrats don’t.
