When the individual who attempted to assassinate attendees at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner was identified as a far-left Democrat, mainstream media immediately blamed the incident on “gun violence” and “lack of gun control.”
Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, a Pennsylvania Democrat and former vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, echoed common rhetoric with his call: “Ban All Lethal Loopholes, Restrict Ownership Of Military-grade weapons.” He did not specify any particular “Lethal Loopholes,” and Community Notes provided context to his remarks. They stated that Cole Toma Allen was armed with knives, a Mossberg Maverick pump-action shotgun, and an Armscor semi-automatic pistol—civilian-grade firearms—and noted Allen legally acquired these through Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealers in August 2025 for the shotgun and October 2023 for the handgun within California. Community Notes concluded with the question: “Do you find this helpful?” Kenyatta did, however, offer one practical suggestion: “Yea we need a BALLROOM.”
The Second Amendment is clear in its wording: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Critics often focus on the term “militia,” suggesting it applies only to organized groups, but the amendment explicitly protects “the right of the people [not the militia] to keep and bear Arms.” For those interested, Penn and Teller have provided an explanation of the Second Amendment online (language warning).
Similarly to how guns do not cause violence on their own, gun control measures have proven ineffective at reducing crime. While Democrats and traditional media often reject these fundamental truths, current U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has stated that stricter gun laws are not the solution. “This isn’t about changing the law or making our laws more restrictive around firearm possession,” he explained. “I don’t think the narrative here is about changing laws or making them more restrictive.”
“Gun violence,” as it is commonly described, is perpetrated by criminals, not guns. Criminals typically obtain firearms through theft or illicit street purchases. The individual who attempted to assassinate attendees at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner was an exception—he legally acquired his weapons long before intending to use them in a crime. He purchased these firearms in California, a state with stringent gun regulations, and then used them in Washington, D.C., which also enforces rigorous firearm controls.
If regulating firearms fails to address crime, the focus must shift to the true culprits—violent criminals. States governed by Democrats are well known for granting convicted criminals—including violent offenders—repeated opportunities. Alphanso Talley exemplifies this trend: at age 26, he had become a seven-time felon when he allegedly shot and killed a Chicago police officer and severely injured another at Chicago’s Swedish Covenant Hospital last month. Upon the incident, Talley was facing two additional charges beyond his seven convictions; currently, he has four pending cases—one for the deceased officer and one for the injured officer.
Cam Edwards, editor at Bearing Arms—a prominent Second Amendment news and opinion platform—observed that on the day of the shooting, Talley “should have been sitting in a downstate prison” rather than on the streets. Edwards further noted that “if Illinois Democrats were as tough on violent offenders as they are on lawful gun owners, Officer John Bartholomew might be alive today and his partner might not be fighting for his life.” Locking up violent criminals makes streets safer for law-abiding citizens. Additionally, an armed law-abiding citizenry contributes to safety—a fact that frustrates the gun control movement. Edwards reported that following a U.S. Supreme Court decision, Maryland relaxed its concealed carry permit restrictions, leading to a significant increase in legally carried firearms among residents—from fewer than 50,000 to over 200,000 by April 2025. Since then, Baltimore has experienced the lowest recorded homicide rate in its history. Edwards concluded: “More guns, less crime—a win-win scenario.”
By Michael Dorstewitz
Monday, 04 May 2026 02:15 PM EDT
