Like clockwork, barely 24 hours after the deadly Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois the National Rifle Association (NRA) took to Twitter to respond with its usual propaganda about mass shootings.
And Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has clearly had enough.
After the NRA claimed 94% of mass shootings since 1950 have occurred in so-called "gun-free zones"--a go-to right-wing claim about gun violence that is essentially meaningless--Pritzker responded, as seen below, by saying what we're all thinking.
\u201cAnd 100% of mass public shootings happen with guns. \n\nAs Governor, on behalf of the people of Highland Park \u2014 leave us the hell alone.\u201d— Governor JB Pritzker (@Governor JB Pritzker) 1657073804
Pritzker wrote:
"And 100% of mass public shootings happen with guns."
"As Governor, on behalf of the people of Highland Park — leave us the hell alone."
But as usual with right-wing claims, this one is totally devoid of context. "Gun-free zones" don't actually prevent guns from being brought in--they're not invisible gun-deflecting force fields, after all--so the statistics are meaningless on their face.
More importantly, while Illinois' laws are stringent both the state and the Chicago metro area share borders with Wisconsin and Indiana, where gun laws are exponentially more lax--and in Indiana's case nearly non-existent.
Pritzker's response has also drawn widespread applause because of the frustration many feel towards top-tier Democrats, whose response to recent events, from a rogue Supreme Court to the recent waves of gun violence, many have found to be toothless.
Pritzker's reactions to the shooting in Highland Park in general present a stark contrast with Democratic leadership.
While Democratic President Joe Biden responded to the shooting with shock and solemnity, touting recent gun legislation and intoning about "more work to do," Pritzker has been visibly angry and unexpectedly blunt.
In his press conference held in the shooting's wake, he said:
"If you are angry today, I’m here to tell you to be angry."
"I’m furious. I’m furious that yet more innocent lives were taken by gun violence..."
"While we celebrate the Fourth of July just once a year, mass shootings have become our weekly — yes, weekly — American tradition."
Many Democratic strategists have theorized that Pritzker's palpable, plain-spoken anger about gun violence constitutes a blueprint for Democrats to rally a deeply angry and alarmingly pessimistic electorate to the polls for the midterms and in 2024.
On Twitter, Pritzker's willingness to show his anger and speak plainly about gun violence left many applauding him.
\u201cThank you @GovPritzker\u201d— Fred Guttenberg (@Fred Guttenberg) 1657105093
\u201c@GovPritzker Thank you for standing up for the people of Illinois, and all of those in favor of strengthening gun laws all over the United States. You exemplify leadership.\u201d— Governor JB Pritzker (@Governor JB Pritzker) 1657073804
\u201cI want to hear more Democrats sound like AOC, JB Pritzker and Gavin Newsom. Republicans have spent years getting their base out with lies. These Democrats are speaking truth to power, using facts and don\u2019t give a shit what DC says or what the chain of command is. More of this.\u201d— Adam Parkhomenko (@Adam Parkhomenko) 1656993843
\u201c@GovPritzker If I lived in your state, I would vote for you EVERY time!! I love your fight sir!! Your state is lucky to have you.\u201d— Governor JB Pritzker (@Governor JB Pritzker) 1657073804
\u201c\u201cBe angry. I\u2019m furious.\u201d\n- @GovPritzker \nRight on, Governor!\u201d— Ken Olin (@Ken Olin) 1656983196
\u201cNewsom & Pritzker talk like they understand what the moment requires.\n\nBiden, Pelosi & Schumer do not. Our national leaders act like there is still bipartisanship to be had, some way to get back to the "good old days."\n\nThere is not. Those days are over, and they were never good.\u201d— David Atkins (@David Atkins) 1656984406
\u201cI appreciate Gov. Pritzker encouraging us to \u201cstay angry.\u201d\n#EnoughIsEnough\u201d— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sherrilyn Ifill) 1656974855
\u201cThis!\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\u201d— \ud83c\udf2c\u262e\ufe0fToshaB\ud83c\udf2cNCTarheel (@\ud83c\udf2c\u262e\ufe0fToshaB\ud83c\udf2cNCTarheel) 1657079096
\u201c@GovPritzker This is the energy the democrats need to show.\u201d— Governor JB Pritzker (@Governor JB Pritzker) 1657073804
\u201cIf you had told me four years ago that I'd be praying for this guy to run for President, I'd tell you you were out of your mind.\n\nConsistent leadership and willingness to win that I've seen lacking from pretty much every other dem, especially in the national party, Pritzker '24.\u201d— Nathan Poulosky (@Nathan Poulosky) 1656510318
Much like with Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pritzker's response to Highland Park has led to speculation about a 2024 presidential run for him.
He is currently running a reelection campaign against Republican Illinois Senator Darren Bailey, an NRA-backed supporter of former Republican President Donald Trump and outspoken proponent of gun rights.
