The hottest Gun Control Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Does watching gun sports increase gun sales?

Random Acts of Medicine • 99 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Watching gun sports at events like the Olympics might lead some people to try shooting sports, but it doesn't seem to cause a big overall increase in gun sales.
  2. Gun sales usually go up during certain seasons, like hunting seasons or holidays, and they've also spiked after events that cause fear, like elections or mass shootings.
  3. Even if there were an increase in sales due to the Olympics, it would be hard to tell if it was because of the games or other events happening at the same time, like presidential elections.

Trump on Latest School Shooting: ‘Get over it’

Steady • 27850 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Former President Donald Trump's response to the latest school shooting was to 'get over it', sparking controversy.
  2. The issue of school shootings is a significant concern, with an increase in incidents and the need for stronger gun laws.
  3. Individuals can take action by advocating for stronger gun laws, engaging with elected officials, and participating in peaceful protests.

A failure of courage in Uvalde

Lucian Truscott Newsletter • 4697 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. At a shooting incident in Uvalde, Texas, 370 police officers hesitated to confront an 18-year-old shooter with an AR-15 style rifle, citing fear.
  2. The incident highlighted a failure of leadership, training, planning, and execution in law enforcement.
  3. The case raises questions about open carry laws and the ability to protect schools from potential threats.

How I Stopped Hating Guns

Disaffected Newsletter • 679 implied HN points • 12 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. The author had a history of hating guns but began to rethink this perspective after personal experiences and conversations with a friend.
  2. Having a gun in the house made the author feel uneasy at first, but they took a step towards embracing self-reliance.
  3. The author realized that understanding guns was important for feeling more secure and less dependent on government protection.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

What I Got Wrong On Defunding Police

The Discourse Lounge • 1975 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Automated traffic enforcement can reduce the need for police interactions. It uses technology to manage traffic violations more effectively and safely.
  2. Gun violence is heavily tied to police aggression in the U.S. Reducing the number of guns could lead to fewer violent encounters with law enforcement.
  3. Creating non-police roles for certain tasks can lessen police burden and improve community safety. Investing in social services can help address root issues instead of relying solely on police.

OSD 364: Gun control is quietly having a moment

Open Source Defense • 38 implied HN points • 15 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Assault-weapon bans are spreading at the state level after decades of little change, with several states recently passing or considering new restrictions.
  2. Federal courts will likely decide the bigger outcome: differing appeals court rulings could create a split that makes the Supreme Court more likely to take a major case on AWBs.
  3. Beyond law and politics, gun culture is shifting into fashion and markets, which helps normalize firearms themes and can both boost momentum and provoke backlash.

Dean Phillips: Political Violence Just Came for My Friends in Minneapolis

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1887 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Political violence can affect anyone, and it's devastating when it strikes close to home.
  2. A recent tragedy involved the murder of a couple and an attack on their friends, seemingly due to their political beliefs.
  3. This situation highlights the dangers of using tragedy for political gain rather than focusing on the human impact.

Could the world BE more fucked up?

So Here’s a Thing • 1828 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Gun Control
  1. The world is facing challenging, contentious, and seemingly unsolvable issues that need to be discussed to find solutions and understand different perspectives.
  2. The conflict between Israel and Gaza is heartbreaking, and it's important to show compassion for innocent lives affected by the atrocities committed by power-hungry individuals.
  3. The debate around gun control in the United States is complex, emotional, and requires open conversations to find common ground and work towards addressing the root problems.

Gaza and the Gun Between Us

Nonzero Newsletter • 632 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Friendships can change a lot due to differing political beliefs, especially in the Jewish community in America. It’s tough when close friends begin to see things very differently.
  2. Recent events have made some people feel the need to take safety into their own hands. For example, one friend got a gun after the violence started.
  3. Talking about these heavy topics can help us understand each other better. Even when opinions differ, it’s good to share experiences and listen.

Why American Cities (Actually) Suck

The Discourse Lounge • 1348 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Many American cities struggle because of poor political support and funding for urban infrastructure. Unlike some other countries, America often neglects its cities, leading to issues like poverty and crime.
  2. Increased policing alone won't solve the problems in American cities. Issues like gun violence and bad transportation systems need to be addressed holistically.
  3. To make cities better, America could learn from European and Asian approaches to urban planning and social welfare. Improving community support and organizing urban services better could lead to healthier, safer cities.

OSD 352: “Gun rights are winning and nobody has realized it”, 2025 edition

Open Source Defense • 84 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Support for gun rights has trended upward for decades and jumped during the 2020 buying boom, though recent polls suggest that growth has mostly leveled off.
  2. Concealed carry has essentially won across the country—most states are now shall-issue or permitless, leaving very few places with meaningful carry bans.
  3. The AR-15 has become the dominant civilian rifle, and while gun-control groups have narrowed their public messaging, they still score legislative wins and exert pressure on manufacturers.

Good guy with a gun

Situation Normal • 58 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. News can often make us feel anxious or angry, especially when it’s about things we can’t change. Many people prefer local news because it's more relatable and sometimes entertaining, like car chases.
  2. A story about a 79-year-old veteran shows how firearms can play a crucial role in self-defense. Even though the veteran didn’t want to use his gun, it ultimately saved his life during a scary encounter.
  3. There's a lot of debate about guns in society, reflecting different opinions on their use. Some people feel safer with a gun for protection, while others think stronger laws should be in place to keep guns away from everyone.

Global Media Award Finalist: Inside a month of America's school shootings

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 79 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. The project highlighted the challenges of collecting data on school shootings and the personal stories affected by gun crimes.
  2. The collaboration between The Economist and David Riedman is shedding light on school swatting incidents.
  3. The success of the project demonstrated the effectiveness of combining video reporting, data journalism, and traditional reporting in storytelling.

New Grand Jury evidence from Richneck Elementary school shooting

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 59 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. A 6-year-old student attempted to shoot his teacher a second time, highlighting the importance of considering elementary school students in school security measures.
  2. School shooting incident revealed lapses in security procedures, such as doors being locked hindering police response and potential prevention of further harm.
  3. School staff need proper training and systems in place to handle emergencies effectively, like searching for weapons or sending timely alerts to parents.

Near Miss Report: Police shoot at student inside Mesquite, TX high school

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 79 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. This incident at Mesquite, TX high school involving a student with a gun showcased multiple failures that led to the escalation of the situation.
  2. The initial situation was a teen in crisis with a weapon in a contained area, not an active shooter scenario, showing the importance of accurate information in such critical events.
  3. The three phases of the incident - pre-police arrival, police arrival in the office, and police firing at the armed student - highlighted the risks inherent in such intense situations.

The Curious Case of Luigi Mangione

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 296 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Luigi Mangione was caught after a customer at McDonald's recognized him following the murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO. It's surprising that someone like him could be involved in such a serious crime.
  2. He had a 3D-printed gun and a handwritten manifesto when he was arrested. This raises questions about his motives and planning.
  3. The case has turned people into amateur detectives as they tried to follow the story. It shows how we are often drawn into real-life mysteries.

Why TSA-style security doesn't work for schools

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 39 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Having teachers perform security screenings at schools can be ineffective due to lack of training and time constraints.
  2. Failure in school security protocols can lead to dangerous situations such as students sneaking weapons past metal detectors.
  3. Implementing TSA-style security at schools is impractical due to the scale of students, cost, and physical infrastructure required.

America's Rogues in Robes

Diane Francis • 599 implied HN points • 27 Jun 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. America's Supreme Court is seen as biased and out of touch with public opinion, especially regarding issues like abortion and gun control. Many Americans support these rights, but the Court's decisions reflect political gains instead.
  2. The Supreme Court's recent rulings are causing concern over social unrest and safety, as they may encourage more gun carry rights while limiting abortion access. This creates a more dangerous environment for individuals in the country.
  3. There's a growing divide in America, with differing access to abortion based on state laws. Many people feel frustrated and are encouraged to vote for candidates who support their rights, hoping to change the current direction.

What is a Machine Gun?

The Apéritif • 19 implied HN points • 15 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. The Supreme Court has ruled that bump stocks are not classified as machine guns, allowing them back on the streets. This decision is based on a specific interpretation of what a machine gun is according to a 1934 law.
  2. Bump stocks help a shooter fire quickly by using the rifle's recoil, but the definition of automatic firing depends on how the trigger is activated. The ruling claims that using a bump stock requires a different method than what is defined as automatic firing.
  3. The debate over bump stocks raises important questions about defining objects in law. It highlights the need to consider how items are used rather than just their physical parts, especially when it comes to safety and regulation.

We still know what the problem is

Science Forever • 159 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Gun violence in the United States is not primarily a mental health issue, but a result of easy access to firearms supported by politicians misinterpreting the Second Amendment.
  2. Ensuring physical safety on university campuses is crucial for fostering a conducive environment for learning and innovation.
  3. The presence of firearms on campuses and in communities poses a competitiveness disadvantage for the U.S. in the global arena and undermines progress in academic and scientific fields.

OSD 327: What happens if suppressors get deregulated?

Open Source Defense • 94 implied HN points • 27 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. A new bill in Congress could change how suppressors are regulated, making them easier to buy. If it passes, buying a suppressor would be similar to buying a regular firearm.
  2. Currently, the market for suppressors has grown significantly in recent years. More people are buying them than ever, which shows a big shift in consumer interest.
  3. There are three possible outcomes from the bill: it could fully deregulate suppressors, lower the tax to zero, or keep the current laws as they are. The worst case would mean no changes at all.

The American Mass Murder

Diane Francis • 519 implied HN points • 11 Jul 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Mass shootings in America are unique and frequent, often committed by young males who feel like failures in society. They seek vengeance, not necessarily due to insanity, but due to feelings of being aggrieved.
  2. America's gun laws are outdated and reflect a deeper culture of violence and hyper-masculinity. Other countries with similar gun ownership do not experience mass shootings at the same level because their cultures respond to societal failures differently.
  3. Media and entertainment contribute to the normalization of violence and mass shootings. Without significant changes in gun laws and cultural attitudes, the cycle of violence is likely to continue.

HWFO Reading List, February 2025

Handwaving Freakoutery • 147 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Spiking articles can be a way to maintain quality and ensure only the best thoughts are shared. It's okay to keep some content private if it doesn't meet your standards.
  2. There's a belief that guns could eventually be a unifying social force rather than a divisive one. However, acknowledging the historical context and issues surrounding gun ownership is important.
  3. Participating in discussions about complex issues, even if some ideas aren't suitable for publication, can still provide valuable insight and foster community engagement.

The War on Guns is Lost

Handwaving Freakoutery • 894 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. The war on guns is lost, and the left plays a role in it.
  2. Gun control efforts failed because more people bought guns due to various socio-political events.
  3. Lack of acknowledgment of the reasons for the increase in gun ownership has contributed to the failure of gun control measures.

Guns vs. Knives: Five times (5x) more shootings at schools in 2023

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 79 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Despite knives being easily accessible, schools experienced 5 times more shootings than stabbings in 2023.
  2. Shootings at schools had a higher fatality rate and more victims compared to stabbings.
  3. Security measures in schools face challenges detecting knives, which are small and easily concealable, potentially impacting the prevalence of gun violence.

Anatomy of a Gun Lie

Handwaving Freakoutery • 758 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Gun controllers manipulate language to create fear and mislead people about gun-related incidents.
  2. Historical context is crucial to understanding data and statistics presented in media reports.
  3. The correlation between gun ownership rates and gun violence is complex and influenced by various factors beyond just the number of guns.

Kyle Slaughterhouse

Diane Francis • 579 implied HN points • 25 Nov 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. A Wisconsin jury found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty, ruling that he acted in self-defense. This decision raised concerns about safety in America.
  2. Rittenhouse used an automatic rifle during a chaotic situation, where he killed two people and injured another. Many people are worried about the implications of this case.
  3. The events took place during riots in Kenosha, which shows how violence can escalate during protests. This makes discussions about gun laws and self-defense even more important.

The AR-15 is a Weapon of War.

Breaking the News • 602 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. The AR-15 is a commonly owned weapon in the U.S. with a significant impact on mass shootings.
  2. The AR-15 was originally designed for military use and its civilian popularity has raised concerns.
  3. The design of the AR-15 allows for increased lethality due to the unique properties of its ammunition.

On Shane Tamura, the NYC office shooter: yet again, cannabis psychosis and violence may be hiding in plain sight

Unreported Truths • 37 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. The media often tries to blame things like football for violence, while ignoring more likely causes like cannabis use. It's easier for them to follow popular beliefs than to dig deeper into facts.
  2. Researchers see a strong link between heavy cannabis use and mental health issues like schizophrenia, especially in young people. This makes it an important factor to consider in discussions about violent behavior.
  3. Many people in the media downplay the potential dangers of cannabis, which can lead to serious problems. Understanding these risks is crucial to prevent tragedies like mass shootings.

OSD 328: Give ‘em a mile and they’ll take an inch

Open Source Defense • 52 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control
  1. Suppressors, or silencers, are gaining more support for deregulation, showing that public perception is changing. This progress is encouraging and opens the door for other regulations to be reviewed.
  2. Current barrel length laws create a confusing situation where small and long guns are legal, but certain medium guns face severe penalties. This disparity highlights the need for revisiting these laws.
  3. Many people don't have the time to understand complex gun laws, so they often stick to popular opinions. It's important to discuss these laws openly to reshape public sentiment and promote better understanding.