GUN CONTROL AND GUN VIOLENCE QUOTES
Sociologist Dr. DaShanne Stokes providing expert analysis on gun law protests during a live interview with Sky News.
Dr. DaShanne Stokes is a sociologist and Research Associate at the University of Pittsburgh specializing in power, politics, and inequality. His expertise on gun violence and gun control is informed by both his scholarly research and firsthand lived experience, from surviving gun-related stalking as a child to witnessing the impact of drive-by shootings in his community. Collected here is the official resource hub of his most memorable quotes about gun violence and the need for gun control.
A frequent media analyst featured by BBC News, NPR, and Sky News, Dr. Stokes’ insights have been quoted hundreds of times in articles and books—including Tiffanie Drayton’s Coping with Gun Violence—and cited by public figures ranging from policymakers to cultural leaders. His peer-reviewed research is documented via ORCID, Academia.edu, and ResearchGate. For media or speaking inquiries, please contact Dr. Stokes here.
Search or Browse Gun Control Quotes Archive Below
On Responsibility and Accountability
"You can't put guns in people's hands and then claim no responsibility when they murder people."
"Claiming no responsibility when you put guns into people's hands and they commit murder is like drug dealers claiming no responsibility for people dying from the drugs they sold them.."
"It's sickening to know that the NRA and gun manufacturers will likely get a boost in sales and memberships from yet another massacre. They are profiting from death."
"The GOP preventing gun violence research tells me they care less about human life than about protecting the NRA and gun manufacturers' profit margins."
On Deterrence Myths and Facts
"If guns don't kill people, why do mass killers arm themselves with guns?"
"If you think guns make us safer and deter violence, remember that JFK and Reagan were surrounded by some of the world's best armed guards and their guns did not prevent the shootings."
"When a country with less than five percent of the world's population has nearly half of the world's privately owned guns and makes up nearly a third of the world's mass shootings, it's time to stop saying guns make us safer."
"'Let them have guns' is as much a solution to mass murder and gun violence as 'Let them have drugs' is a solution to drug addiction."
"It's terrifying to think you could become the next statistic."
On Rights and Public Safety
"Saying gun control hurts our freedom is a false argument amounting to propaganda. Gun laws don't curtail freedom any more than speed limits or seat belts. You still get to drive your car and have guns, we're just trying to save lives as you do."
"Violence isn't a Democrat or Republican problem. It's an American problem, requiring an American solution."
"When we allow violence against some, we enable violence against all."
"It should be easier to vote than to buy a gun."
"Those who incite violence have no business lecturing others about unity."
On Politics, Action, and Change
"Thoughts and prayers won't stop a speeding bullet."
"The GOP saying they don't want politics in response to another mass shooting is another attempt to silence opposition, benefiting the NRA and gun manufacturers. People are dying. It is always time to talk about saving lives."
"I'm from Las Vegas and I have to ask: What message does it send would-be murderers that our president once bragged he could shoot somebody not lose voters?"
"If the GOP truly cared about saving lives, they'd stop blocking gun violence research."
"Before Trump offers prayers and condolences for yet another mass shooting, he should offer apologies to America for inciting violence and bragging he could shoot someone and not lose voters."
"As we talk about gun violence, we need to talk about the violence incited by Trump and implicitly condoned by the GOP."
"When nearly 3,000 people died on 9/11, it was enough to create massive change in our society. Over ten times as many people die from guns each year. Where is the social change?"
"The GOP and NRA blocking gun violence research tells me they want to keep people ignorant to benefit the NRA and gun manufacturers no matter how many die in the process."
"Prayer alone benefits the NRA and gun manufacturers because it doesn't lead to change. Helping people requires change--making prayers real through action."
"A president who has incited violence inspires citizens towards hate and violence."
"Talk without the support of action means nothing."
NOTE ON ATTRIBUTION AND USE
Dr. Stokes is pleased and humbled that people have found value in his thoughts and words to have quoted him on an array of merchandise, videos, and other products. Please contact Dr. Stokes before using his name, likeness, and quotes prior to use for any desired sales, advertising, promotions, merchandising, or other political or commercial products and ensure that your use of his name, likeness, and quotes do not imply his involvement, association, or endorsement.
You can share these quotes using the following shortened link: http://bit.ly/2eOMpvA
You can also read, share, and vote on your favorite DaShanne Stokes quotes on Goodreads.
