Rantz: Terrified Jon Grant doesn’t understand gun ownership

Seattle City Council candidate Jon Grant is absolutely terrified of guns.

Indeed, guns can be scary, particularly in the hands of people who are untrained, criminal, or suicidal. Unfortunately, Grant’s fear, complete disinterest in the typical gun owners, his hatred of the Second Amendment, and his desperation to differentiate himself from his opponent Teresa Mosqueda is fueling a truly bad and meaningless idea. His idea should be rejected.

RELATED: Council candidate wants to increase Seattle’s tax on guns

Seattle currently taxes gun purchases in the city to the tune of $25 per gun and 5 cents per round of ammunition. Grant would like to double both taxes because guns are scary and he’d like to out-Progressive Mosqueda.

This law was originally passed to fund research into gun violence that already exists. The reason is disingenuous.

We already know, for example, that the vast majority of gun deaths are from suicide and a large chunk, certainly locally, is fueled by gangs. Indeed, according to King County Sheriff John Urquhart:

Gang members are certainly committing much of the gun violence that we are seeing, but that does not necessarily mean the violence is gang related. By that I mean the shootings aren’t always related to the traditional battles of turf wars or selling drugs.

This isn’t about gun violence research. It’s never been, but these anti-gun activists will certainly jump at the chance to exploit victims of gun violence to enact Progressive policies.
This idea is a way to vilify gun owners. This tax and supposed-research implies that the citizens who are legally purchasing weapons (for self-defense, sport, or otherwise) are responsible for the gun violence in Seattle. They’re not. They don’t actually pose a major risk.

But folks like Grant, disdain for guns so obvious, won’t actually address the criminals responsible for the gun violence or even those who are suicidal getting their hands on guns. That’s too hard. What’s easy? Vilifying a minority demographic to Seattle – gun owners – while surrounded by gun haters cheering you on.

Follow @https://twitter.com/jasonrantz