It seems nearly every day, Democrats are forced to defend condescending remarks made about minorities and, in this case, women. Hot on the heels of New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s claims that Black children did not know the meaning of the word “computer,” another Democrat has set the internet ablaze by implying that women were either too stupid to figure out how to operate a gun’s safety switch or too physically frail to do so.
In a recent discussion on Safe Storage laws, a Democratic Minnesota State Legislature representative, Kaohly Vang Her, said that women should refrain from owning firearms due to potential difficulties in operating the safeties on weapons.
She also said that those who were stalked or harassed shouldn’t be allowed “easy access” to firearms because they lacked training in the weapons. Even those who have restraining orders against their harassers should not be allowed to own guns, she claimed.
These controversial comments were made during an extensive session of the Minnesota House of Representatives when Democratic lawmakers approved fresh gun control legislation dubbed the “safe and secure storage” law. This bill, a key agenda item for Democrats in the current session, faces uncertain prospects in the closely divided Minnesota Senate.
Sponsored by Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn, D-Roseville, HF 4300 introduces new guidelines for firearms storage. According to the proposed legislation, gun owners must store their firearms either unloaded with a locking device, in a secured “firearm storage unit” like a safe, or in a locked gun room. Under the proposed bill, these storage measures are required when the firearm is not directly accessible or within reach of the owner.
Even gun rights advocates will agree on that. Most responsible gun owners store their weapons in secure locations far out of reach of vulnerable household members like children.
And, apparently, women.
Last year, Vang Her voiced her support for an equal rights amendment in her state. In fact, she sponsored the bill.
The House version of the amendment includes protections against discrimination based on race, sex, and gender identity and extends to issues related to abortion in the state’s Constitution. Additionally, a new provision aims to safeguard “decisions about all matters relating to one’s pregnancy or decision whether to become or remain pregnant.”
The next step involves a vote by the full House, and if passed, it would then need to be reconciled with a different Senate bill. Ultimately, it will go to the voters to decide.
But women, too stupid to understand the complex mechanisms of a gun safety switch, cannot be expected to fully understand the complexities of a pro-abortion bill if it is put on the ballot.
Vang Her’s assertions that women can’t safely operate weapons come as news to female law enforcement officers, who represent over 13% of the nation’s police force, and their civilian counterparts, who comprise 60% of non-sworn law enforcement officers.
Women in the military would also be disappointed to learn they are incapable of carrying a firearm.
In 2021, women comprised 17.3% of the active-duty personnel in the United States military, amounting to 231,741 individuals. Moreover, they represented 21.4% of the National Guard and reserves, totaling around 171,000 members.
Rep. Vang Her’s insulting comment about women and firearms implies that she doesn’t trust women to handle guns safely because they might struggle with using safety mechanisms. This kind of statement spreads stereotypes and takes away women’s rights to defend themselves. It’s yet another blow by a Democrat in the fight for women’s rights and gender equality.
Unlike Alec Baldwin, the average gun owner does not pick up a weapon, jokingly point it at someone, and pull the trigger. While updated statistics are not available, it was reported that in 2015, more than 60% of gun owners had completed a safety class before a gun purchase.
Additionally, female Olympic gold medalist shooters like Kim Rhode and Ginny Thrasher, along with other nationally recognized female shooters such as Jessie Duff and Julie Golob, appear to have navigated the complexities of their weapons’ safety features. Maybe, just maybe, Mrs. Smith from across the street can figure it out, too.
