The gun management foyer has spent a long time preaching about “ending gun violence.” However when considered one of their very own overtly fantasizes about murdering a political opponent—and his kids—the silence is deafening.
Latest revelations from textual content messages despatched by Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate for Virginia Legal professional Common, have shaken even essentially the most cynical observers in Richmond. Jones, then a member of the Virginia Home of Delegates, despatched grotesque messages wishing loss of life upon his political rival, Republican Speaker Todd Gilbert, and his kids.
“Three individuals, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Gilbert will get two bullets to the pinnacle,” Jones texted to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner in 2022.
When confronted, Jones doubled down—stating that he “wished” the Speaker’s kids can be shot and “die of their mom’s arms.”
These should not the phrases of a random web troll. They got here from a Democratic candidate for the Commonwealth’s high regulation enforcement place—and somebody funded closely by the nation’s main gun management organizations.
Everytown, Brady, and Giffords: Money and Complicity
It’s not stunning that Jones was backed by the identical teams that continuously push for “commonsense gun security.”
Everytown for Gun Security, the Michael Bloomberg-funded political juggernaut, dropped $200,000 into his marketing campaign. They referred to as him a “gun sense candidate” and an “advocate for safer communities.”
Since Jones’ violent texts got here to mild, Everytown’s management—together with John Feinblatt, a prolific social media person—has mentioned nothing. Not a tweet. Not a press release. Not even a quiet retraction.
Brady PAC, in the meantime, quietly deleted its press launch endorsing Jones, scrubbed his identify from its web site, and provided the weakest potential condemnation:
“Violent rhetoric has no place in our political course of.”
No point out of Jones. No withdrawal of help. Simply harm management.
Giffords PAC, based by former Rep. Gabby Giffords, nonetheless has its endorsement of Jones reside on its web site—sure, the identical group born from a tragedy involving political gun violence.
Mothers Demand Silence
The hypocrisy doesn’t finish there.
Shannon Watts, the previous head of Mothers Demand Motion, constructed her profession scolding politicians for not doing sufficient to cease “gun violence.” But when considered one of her allies fantasizes about committing it, she’s largely quiet—reposting a single information hyperlink and transferring on to her typical political commentary.
In the meantime, Po Murray of the Newtown Motion Alliance—one other group that by no means misses an opportunity to tweet about “ending gun violence”—has been equally silent, preferring to submit about healthcare as an alternative.
Democratic Leaders Shrug
Much more beautiful is the response—or lack thereof—from Virginia’s high Democrats.
Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine each referred to as Jones’ feedback “appalling” and “indefensible”… after which instantly added that they nonetheless help him.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, backed by the identical gun management organizations now dodging accountability, additionally stopped wanting condemnation.
“I made clear to Jay that he should absolutely take accountability for his phrases,” she mentioned. “As a candidate—and because the subsequent governor—I’ll at all times condemn violent language in our politics.”
Translation: Please don’t minimize my Everytown funding.
The Selective Outrage of “Gun Security” Activists
Only one month in the past, political commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated by a sniper for his beliefs. And now, one other Democratic politician—backed by the identical gun management foyer—has overtly wished comparable violence upon his political opponents.
But the identical teams that declare to struggle “gun violence” don’t have anything to say when it comes from their very own facet.
Their outrage isn’t about saving lives. It’s about political energy—and this silence exposes it higher than any op-ed ever may.
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