‘Squad’ Rep. Under Fire Over ‘Nonsensical’ Post

One member of the dwindling congressional “Squad” has come under fire for what critics say is a “nonsensical” statement embellishing the ease of purchasing firearms in the U.S.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) attempted to rouse public support for a new round of Second Amendment restrictions in a tweet claiming that it’s easier today for Americans to purchase firearms than concert tickets. “It shouldn’t be easier to buy an assault weapon than concert tickets,” the Washington state Democrat wrote Monday afternoon. Two days later, the X post has been severely ratio’d as only 1,100 users reposted the statement while 8,400 users weighed in with comments, an ominous sign that usually indicates heavy disagreement.

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It shouldn’t be easier to buy an assault weapon than concert tickets.

— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) December 30, 2024

Some users turned to Grok, the platform’s artificial intelligence, which produced factual retorts to the Democrat’s claim. One top comment by the user War of the Word included a lengthy rebuttal from Grok which said in part, “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.”

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

The Western Journal highlighted other claims of “nonsense” being purveyed by Jayapal. “Which concert requires background checks to get a ticket?” one commenter asked. “Also, where in the Constitution did our founders include the right to concerts?” Another retorted, “Never in history has tyranny been defeated by citizens armed with tickets to Blink 182.”

“I realize you’re trying to be edgy and also appeal to your base, but did you even think this out before tweeting?” a third replied. “Is there a waiting period for concert tickets? How about a NICS check? What about a permit (required in some states) just to purchase?” he continued. “We’re not sending our best and brightest to congress & it shows.”

Which concert requires background checks to get a ticket?

Also, where in the Constitution did our founders include the right to concerts?

— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) December 31, 2024

Never in history has tyranny been defeated by citizens armed with tickets to Blink 182.

— Amiri King (@AmiriKing) December 31, 2024

Jayapal’s home state of Washington carries among the toughest restrictions of gun ownership, the Journal noted. In 2023, Jay Inslee, Washington’s Democratic governor, signed into law a self-described “ban on assault weapons,” which he said in a statement would preserve “the health, safety and lives of our residents.” Critics of the law contend that neither Inslee or Jayapal have a firm understanding of which firearms they seek to prohibit and point to the lack of consensus around the term “assault weapon.” A host of challenges to such laws are underway following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which ruled that any Second Amendment restriction must be rooted in “historical tradition of firearm regulation” in the United States.

Even for progressive Democrats like Payapal, far-left pandering doesn’t guarantee her safety in a reliably blue district. Other “Squad” members fell victim to challenges in 2024 by more centrist Democrats, including New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Missouri Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), both of whom lost their primaries to pro-Israel opponents.

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