How in the world such anti-gun ownership attitude even entered the State of Mississippi is beyond me. But here it is, in black and white, for you to shake your head in disbelief. In the capital of the Mississippi, a city councilman has determined the reason for violent crime is that pawn shops sell guns. He wants to try to ban gun sales in the city.

Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes said he wants to propose a city ordinance that takes away pawn shop’s ability to sell guns.

“There’s too much violence in the city of Jackson,” Stokes said today. “I asked the young folks, where are they getting their guns and they say the pawn shops. I asked the older people where are they getting their guns and they say the pawn shops. We need to do something to make our city safe again.”

Of course Mr. Stokes doesn't realize that he cannot lawfully do this. And he doesn't realize that restricting a purchase in the city limits will not prevent criminals from getting guns in neighboring suburbs. And he doesn't understand that preventing lawful citizens from purchasing guns to protect their families and homes is what will keep the murdering thugs in his city. When criminals know that gun purchases are prohibited by law-abiding residents, then they will choose to remain in that area and continue their criminal activities.

And Stokes steps in it deeper:

When asked about a person's right to own a firearm, Stokes had this to say.

"These same people. They're talking about having the right to a gun, if their children were dying, then they'd change their attitude. What we have to do is make the city safer. After we do that, then everybody can have a gun."

Yes, he really said that. You can't make this stuff up. [Anyone want to bet that he owns a firearm?]

This is just more populist rhetoric from a know-nothing elected official, who didn't bother to investigate the law which allows pawn shops to sell guns. Nor did he bother to follow one of the biggest court cases in history to be decided by the United States Supreme Court. Nor can we expect any logic to be applied by this guy in the future.

Oh, and did I mention he is a Democrat?

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