Georgia Republican encourages gun-toting mothers
On June 5, Georgia's most controversial and divisive Republican - Marjorie Taylor-Greene - shared her opinion on what lessons the attempted kidnapping of a child in New York City had yielded for tackling crime.
In MTG's opinion, the solution isn't to tackle criminality via conventional means, but rather, the crime is:
"Another reason why mothers should be armed."
While the crime was clearly a shocking example of the dangers faced by Americans, it seems radical - even for the Georgia Republican - to suggest that mothers could or should have to carry guns in order to defend themselves and their families from would-be criminals.
It is of course a response that would be expected from Taylor-Greene who has been an open advocate for the American freedom to carry weapons as a constitutional right.
Concealed-carry for all?
In late May, she touted one of the campaign priorities of her political idol - the one-term former president Donald Trump - to pursue reciprocal concealed carry freedoms for gun owners across the United States. As such, it's unsurprising that she feels that mothers would want to carry guns just so that they could defend themselves and their kids.
Permit-less concealed carry only became law in Georgia recently, and it was a move that Taylor-Greene applauded, presumably as an extension of the constitutional freedoms that seem so important to her. The Georgia Republican is enthusiastic about 2nd amendment freedoms and often critical of those who campaign for the extension of controls around gun ownership.
In the aftermath of a recent spate of mass-shootings (including one in an Atlanta medical facility), MTG chose to use the occasion to applaud the launch of a ride-hailing service in Georgia that uses armed drivers to differentiate itself from competitors. In her view, what America needs is more "good guys with guns" to keep the public safe.
Is Trump as pro-gun as MTG?
It may just be however that there are tensions between MTG's desire to extend gun freedoms to all Americans (whether they want them or not) and the political aspirations of the one-term former President Trump.
It's not clear whether Trump is truly on the side of gun owners and the protection of 2nd amendment constitutional rights, as much as he may hype it up. A recently released video from a pro-DeSantis political action committee portrays Trump as a 'gun-grabber' who has previously spoken out against the NRA and who is in favor of more controls and checks for those who want to own a weapon.
Whether her aspirations for armed parents defending themselves against criminals is likely to be well-received is uncertain. What does seem likely however is that MTG will continue fighting for what she sees as the constitutional right of Americans to bear arms (whether they want them or not).
Do you agree with Marjorie Taylor-Greene that Americans should be able to carry guns to defend themselves? Should this be their responsibility? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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