Anti-gun cities and states have really embraced a new pastime. It's blaming other places for their own issues. Following the Manhattan shooting, this became a big part of the anti-gun effort, and they've run with it every chance they get.
Chicago, however, kind of pioneered this approach. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot used to blame Indiana for her city's violence issues.
Her successor, Mayor Brandon Johnson, has decided to keep the tradition alive.
Mayor Brandon Johnson: "Chicago will continue to have a violence problem as long as red states continue to have a gun problem." pic.twitter.com/vmCL7M1yI0
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 2, 2025
Ah, sometimes, it's good to know some things will never change.
See, what this does is allow Johnson to and the rest of the city's so-called leaders to do absolutely nothing to address violent crime in the Windy City while still looking like they actually give a damn about it.
But numerous other cities throughout the nation have run into violence issues, and they've taken steps to address them. They've done all sorts of things that have yielded real results that didn't infringe on anyone's rights. They may have been unable to enact gun control in their cities due to preemption, or they may have just not been interested. Some others did, but they didn't use gun control alone.
And there have been results.
The fact that Johnson is intent on blaming the president and red states for his city's problems ignores the fact that, without a demand for illegal guns, there wouldn't be an issue in the first place. Were it not for a criminal underclass that thrives in the city, there'd be no reason for anyone to traffic guns into the city.
Johnson and numerous others before him seek to blame others while ignoring their own failings.
Guns aren't the issue. If you remove them, violent people will just find another way to be violent. They'll use knives, cars, even rocks. They'll find another way to hurt and kill. That's because the problems are deeper than that.
But Johnson would have to actually put in some effort to address that. He wouldn't get an instant drop in the homicide rate because these efforts take time, so it's not worth actually pursuing when he can instead blame someone else for his trouble.
We get on our children for trying that, but elect politicians who try it.
Is it any wonder our country has so many problems?
Johnson can sling the blame around all he wants, but this post on X sums things up pretty well, all in all.
Red States reply: “We don’t have a gun problem. Chicago has a thug problem. Here’s the deal: You keep your thugs, we’ll keep our guns. Now shut your stupid mouth.” https://t.co/qvplEN3Oka
— The Patriarch Tree (@PatriarchTree) September 2, 2025
It's blunt, aggressive, and entirely to the point.
Chicago's problems are Chicago's problems. They're not anyone else's fault, and trying to pass the blame isn't remotely productive.
Then again, it's not like anyone gives a flying flip about what the mayor of Chicago says about red state gun laws, other than as an opportunity for mockery.
Editor’s Note: President Trump and Republicans across the country are doing everything they can to protect our Second Amendment rights and right to self-defense.
Help us continue to report on their efforts and legislative successes. Join Bearing Arms VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member