What should have just been your average Sunday night of sports turned into a political lecture from several sports teams on why more gun control is necessary.
During warm ups before Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors, both teams wore orange shirts with the phrase “End Gun Violence” plastered on the front, and several organizations that use their funds to “end” gun violence on the back. Orange is the color that represents the “Wear Orange Weekend” (obviously), an annual event calling for the end of gun violence.
The Celtics are warming up in orange shirts that read “End Gun Violence” on the front, and these organizations on the back. pic.twitter.com/IahdWs8jZx
— Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) June 5, 2022
Celtics coach Ime Udoka said that gun control laws need to be enacted quickly, because it will inhibit people from being able to live without fear.
“The awareness is really about things that are continuing to happen in our communities," Celtics head coach Ime Udoka said. "They’re devastated by it, their families are devastated and we can’t go on with our normal life and business … It continues to happen, so awareness and change needs to be made.”
While it makes sense that we should do things that make our communities safe, attempting to restrict the ownership of guns is not going to do anything that will make people feel safe long term. In fact, responsible gun ownership can actually increase the amount of people that could adequately defend themselves, since criminals will always find ways to get guns regardless of what laws are in place.
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The U.S. men’s national soccer team also got in on the action and wore orange armbands in their international friendly against Uruguay, in addition to their pride-themed jerseys.
Furthermore, the team has written a letter and sent it to Congress asking for more gun control. Head coach Greg Berhalter first proposed the letter and sent a draft to his team, which approved.
"With legislation being considered in the coming days in the House and Senate, we implore you to stand with the majority of Americans who support stronger gun laws," part of the letter reads.
Again, wanting less gun violence is truly a good thing. But the generic, overreaching, half-baked ways that these sports teams want to solve it will not solve any gun violence problems.
.@RepGregSteube proved a point to Rep. Nadler pic.twitter.com/dBmjiXjrFN
— MRCTV (@mrctv) June 6, 2022