Jon Stewart hit the airwaves with a powerful critique that conservatives dare to blame Democrats for rampant gun crimes plaguing our cities. Somehow, he believes this issue lies squarly on Republican shoulders, a brash condemnation that might leave you scratching your head.
Stewart made waves, saying, “These right-wing folks have got some nerve. They’re accusing Democrats of enabling city-wide chaos and gun crime, yet they forget their role in pouring illegal weapons into our cities.” He cited an interesting statistic: about 93% of illegal firearms used in New York City crimes originate from other states, specifically those with more relaxed gun laws like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Stewart’s tirade didn’t end there. He lambasted conservatives’ stance on crime in Democrat-run cities, arguing that while crime rates may still be high, they’ve actually decreased. Instead of recognizing this improvement, he believes conservatives have simply shifted tactics. Facts no longer seem to matter to them, according to Stewart. It’s worth pointing out, however, that the decrease in crime he’s touting, albeit existent, is but a small dip from already high figures. This hardly constitutes a victory.
Moreover, Stewart’s argument loses steam when considering statistics from major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Crime data from these cities wasn’t reported to the FBI last year despite regular submissions in prior years. Irrespective of his opinions, this, at the very least, questions the veracity of his claims.
Stewart went on to give a satirical spin on President Trump’s well-known immigration viewpoint by applying it to firearms, saying that Republicans had been lax about controlling the influx of illegal guns. He particularly criticized the 2005 bill that essentially protected gun dealers and manufacturers from being held accountable for how their firearms were used. Stewart likened this to ensuring reckless drivers, terrorists, and felons had continued access to lethal weaponry.
Though he proposed some compelling arguments, Stewart failed to address fundamental questions: Why was the crime committed in the first place? And why couldn’t the city prevent it from happening? His arguments underscore a larger issue and raise intelligent questions about control and responsibility in relation to firearms, but one cannot ignore the glaring gaps in his viewpoint.
To sum up, Jon Stewart’s fiery backlash against conservatives was provocative, to say the least. Yet, his argument carries less weight when scrutinized further. Yes, the problem of gun crime is serious, and we need solutions, not finger-pointing. The crime issue goes beyond gun control, encompassing socio-economic factors which need to be addressed to achieve a comprehensive solution. No matter what side of the aisle you stand on, the question remains: How can we make our cities safer for everyone, without resorting to the blame game?
