A few days ago in Arizona a female citizen testifying before the state senate judiciary committee received the Mansplaining of the Decade.
The recipient of this appalling condescension was a representative of the DC Project, a national women’s gun rights group. This delegate, herself a victim of sexual assault and domestic abuse, was testifying before the committee and explaining why she carries a firearm to protect herself. The committee was at the time considering a bill which would expand areas where concealed carry permit holders can lawfully carry concealed firearms, to include certain public establishments and events.
An Arizona state senator named Lupe Contreras proceeded to make some extremely ignorant and – dare I say – “privileged” comments in reply. Senator Contreras stated that he is a gun-owner/hunter and “proud democrat” (here comes the inevitable “but”) …
Direct Video Quote:
“I don’t need to have my gun on me at all times to feel safe – I don’t. I don’t run around, walk around, and drive around worried about somebody’s going to shoot me or somebody’s going to hurt me, or somebody’s going to do whatever. Why even walk around at that point. Stay home behind closed doors.” (Video jump)
“So I mean, I do understand that, yeah, it is a right that we have. But some people just don’t have that right, and some people just shouldn’t have that right.”
The video is available directly at the DC project YouTube page, and also at the DC project FB page and pinned post.
Did you go watch it? If not, go back and do it. Listen to the words straight from the horse’s caboose.
Talk about the mansplaining of the decade! Well yippee for you, Sen. Contreras that you don’t personally feel unsafe in public spaces.
Good for you that you are a man, and as such much less likely to be a victim of sexual violence (or you know, “whatever”).
Hooray, that you have not ever been the victim of random violence in public spaces.
Yippee for you, that you have never experienced domestic abuse at the hands of someone you loved and trusted.
And yay for you, that you are high enough on the socioeconomic ladder to have become a state legislator, such that you enjoy the security of the state in your workplace and likely live in a low crime neighborhood.
Too bad that many women in your state have not been so lucky.
In lounging upon your own “privilege” – sir – you have denigrated and dismissed the real life experiences of your female constituents in general, and that of this female gun rights advocate in particular. To. Her. Face. No less.
So, rather than being empowered by the Constitution to embrace their own ability to protect themselves, your female constituents should just “stay home”, should they? They shouldn’t feel free and safe enough in your state to “run around, walk around or drive around” under the protection of their own personal firearm? Rather than stepping out into public spaces with confidence, carrying the means to protect themselves, the victims of assault, rape, and attempted murder in your state should remain “behind closed doors” ? Is that really what you just said? You REALLY went on record with that?
You may be a lawyer but you, Sen Contreras, have no understanding of what a ”right” really is, and you are certainly no Constitutional scholar. You are also certainly no representative of the female half of your constituency. Your condescension and ignorance speaks for itself. I hope your constituents ensure that such arrogance and privilege do not go unanswered. Frankly, I hope you are voted out and never hold public office again.
Readers should feel free to light up this chucklehead’s senate phone and inbox if they feel so inclined. And support the DC Project while you’re at it.
