Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), a prominent progressive in Congress faced backlash this week for claiming in a tweet that purchasing firearms in the United States is easier than buying concert tickets. “It shouldn’t be easier to buy an assault weapon than concert tickets,” Jayapal wrote, seeking to rally support for stricter gun control measures. However, the statement sparked intense criticism, with thousands pointing out flaws in her comparison.
It shouldn’t be easier to buy an assault weapon than concert tickets.
— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) December 30, 2024
The tweet, posted Monday, quickly garnered attention for all the wrong reasons. While it received about 1,100 reposts, it was inundated with over 8,400 comments, an indicator of widespread disagreement. Critics lambasted Jayapal’s rhetoric as hyperbolic and detached from reality, highlighting the rigorous process involved in legally purchasing firearms compared to simply logging onto a ticket website.
Users on X didn’t hold back. “Which concert requires background checks to get a ticket?” one commenter quipped. Another chimed in with a dose of sarcasm: “Never in history has tyranny been defeated by citizens armed with tickets to Blink 182.” Others pointed out the legal requirements for gun purchases, including background checks, waiting periods, and permits, depending on the state, emphasizing that no such obstacles exist when purchasing concert tickets.
Never in history has tyranny been defeated by citizens armed with tickets to Blink 182.
— Amiri King (@AmiriKing) December 31, 2024
The platform’s artificial intelligence tool, Grok, even weighed in. In a user-generated response, Grok noted, “The term ‘assault weapon’ is often politically charged and not uniformly defined across states, which complicates any direct comparison. Concert tickets, on the other hand, involve no such constitutional protection or debate over personal freedoms.” It’s worth reading the full retort.
Thank you Grok.
what's the strongest retort to this post: It shouldn’t be easier to buy an assault weapon than concert tickets.
Answer
Here's a strong retort to the post:Regulation and Rights:
"Comparing the purchase of an assault weapon to buying concert tickets…
— War of the Word (@polemos_logou) December 30, 2024
Jayapal’s home state of Washington has already implemented some of the most stringent gun laws in the country. Democratic Governor Jay Inslee signed a law in 2023 banning so-called “assault weapons,” a term that critics argue is vague and inconsistently defined. The law has faced legal challenges, particularly after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen decision in 2022, which requires gun regulations to align with the “historical tradition of firearm regulation” in the U.S.
Jayapal’s remark comes amid increasing pressure on progressive Democrats in Congress, many of whom faced primary defeats in 2024 by more centrist challengers. Former Squad members Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) both lost to pro-Israel Democrats, signaling a shift in the political landscape. For Jayapal, her ill-received tweet underscores the challenges of balancing progressive activism with pragmatic governance. Critics say such statements do little to bridge the growing divide over gun control and may alienate moderate voters further.
There isn’t any point an idiot like Rep. Pramila Jayapal would understand about the Constitution. This is the real problem with many of our illustrious politicians.