On Wednesday night, late-night host Stephen Colbert used his platform to address a pressing issue in America: gun control. Specifically, Colbert focused on the need for stricter regulations on “long guns” after a sniper used a WWII-era bolt action rifle to attack a Dallas ICE facility.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, left many people shocked and outraged. The gunman, identified as 22-year-old Willem Van Spronsen, opened fire on the Northwest Detention Center, a facility that holds immigrants awaiting deportation. Thankfully, no one was injured in the attack, but it has once again brought the issue of gun control to the forefront of national conversation.
During his monologue, Colbert didn’t shy away from the controversial topic, stating, “We need to talk about guns, specifically long guns.” He went on to explain that while handguns are often the focus of gun control debates, long guns, such as rifles and shotguns, are just as dangerous and need to be addressed.
Colbert then brought up the fact that Van Spronsen used a WWII-era bolt action rifle, specifically an 8mm rifle, in his attack. This type of rifle is not commonly used in mass shootings, but Colbert argued that it shouldn’t matter. “It doesn’t matter what type of gun it is, it’s still a gun,” he stated. “And we need to do something about it.”
The late-night host then went on to call out the National Rifle Association (NRA) for their influence on gun control laws. “The NRA likes to say that guns don’t kill people, people kill people,” Colbert said. “But I think it’s safe to say that people with guns kill people.”
Colbert’s call for stricter regulations on long guns is not without merit. According to a study by the Violence Policy Center, long guns were used in 25% of all gun-related deaths in 2017. And while the focus is often on mass shootings, the majority of gun deaths in America are actually a result of suicide.
But Colbert didn’t just criticize the lack of gun control laws, he also offered a solution. “We need to have a conversation about what types of guns should be available to the public,” he said. “And we need to have a conversation about mental health and how it relates to gun ownership.”
The late-night host also pointed out the irony of the attack happening at an ICE facility, where the agency has been under fire for their treatment of immigrants. “It’s a sad state of affairs when an attack on an ICE facility is seen as a form of protest,” Colbert stated. “But it’s even sadder that it happened in the first place.”
Colbert’s call for more control on long guns is not just a political stance, but a moral one. He ended his monologue by saying, “We need to do better. We need to protect our communities and our children. And we need to take action now.”
The incident in Dallas serves as a reminder that gun violence is a pressing issue in America. And while there is no easy solution, it is clear that something needs to be done. Colbert’s call for more control on long guns is a step in the right direction, and it is up to lawmakers and citizens alike to take action and make our communities safer.