--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Gun control was never about safety: it…" description: "\"“Gun control was never about safety: it was just about taking power away from ordinary Americans,” said Carson. “It’s to make it safe for the police, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/matthew-bracken-42626_amendment_gun-control-was-never-about-safety-it-wa_2795264.jpg" --- # Gun control was never about safety: it was just about… ![“Gun control was never about safety: it was just about taking power away from ordinary Americans,” said Carson. “It’s to make it safe for the police, in a police state.” quote by Matthew Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/matthew-bracken-42626_amendment_gun-control-was-never-about-safety-it-wa_2795264.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/matthew-bracken-42626_amendment_gun-control-was-never-about-safety-it-wa_2795264.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/matthew-bracken-42626_amendment_gun-control-was-never-about-safety-it-wa_2795264.jpg) > ““Gun control was never about safety: it was just about taking power away from ordinary Americans,” said Carson.  “It’s to make it safe for the police, in a police state.”” [Matthew Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Gun control is framed as public safety but serves to disempower citizens and empower authority. **In simple terms:** Gun control is about power, not safety. Key Takeaway Question authority motives. Themes politics power civil liberties Mood skeptical critical Type political controversial When to use this quote - public policy debates - activism - community organizing - legal challenges Key Concepts authoritarianism social control Questions to Reflect On - Who benefits from restrictions? - How does fear influence policy? A Different Perspective May overlook genuine safety concerns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment/) [Gun control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun-control/) [Police state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police-state/) ## Related quotes > [It is foolish for people to think they can align themselves and be safe in a police state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/it-is-foolish-for-people-to-think-they-can-align-themselves-and-be/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [ \[A\] process was going on in which people were transformed into things, into pieces of reality which pure science can calculate and technical science… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/a-process-was-going-on-in-which-people-were-transformed-into-things/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [One of my co-workers at Ralph Lauren heard about the show, and when she got back to the office, said; Carson, you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-kressley/one-of-my-co-workers-at-ralph-lauren-heard-about-the-show-and-when/) [Carson Kressley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-kressley/) > [Police can't be successful if they're not viewed as legitimate by the community, and a community will not be safe if the police are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-lightfoot/police-can-t-be-successful-if-they-re-not-viewed-as-legitimate-by-the/) [Lori Lightfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-lightfoot/) > [The fact is, people in some communities have been conditioned to instantly feel safe when they see a police car. Others see one and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/the-fact-is-people-in-some-communities-have-been-conditioned-to/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [“When only cops have guns, it's called a police state.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-wolfe/when-only-cops-have-guns-it-s-called-a-police-state/) [Claire Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-wolfe/) > [For those of us who cry out for gun control, our fears cannot be eliminated as long as the country remains an armed camp…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dallek/for-those-of-us-who-cry-out-for-gun-control-our-fears-cannot-be/) [Robert Dallek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dallek/) > [I do think gun control is important. I am a supporter of gun control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-do-think-gun-control-is-important-i-am-a-supporter-of-gun-control/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [It's not a gun control problem; it's a cultural control problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-barr/it-s-not-a-gun-control-problem-it-s-a-cultural-control-problem/) [Bob Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-barr/) > [Why do we even make guns? I'm not against gun control. I'm against guns, period. I'm against anything at all that is used as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/why-do-we-even-make-guns-i-m-not-against-gun-control-i-m-against-guns/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [“Do not fuck with gun nuts because they are nuts about their guns.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/do-not-fuck-with-gun-nuts-because-they-are-nuts-about-their-guns/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [People who believe in gun control are ignorant, superstitious or stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charley-reese/people-who-believe-in-gun-control-are-ignorant-superstitious-or-stupid/) [Charley Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charley-reese/) > [The Second Amendment has no place in modern society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/the-second-amendment-has-no-place-in-modern-society/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/if-in-the-opinion-of-the-people-the-distribution-or-modification-of/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Gun control laws don't work. What is worse, they act perversely. While legitimate users of firearms encounter intense regulation, scrutiny and bureaucratic control, illicit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-polsby/gun-control-laws-don-t-work-what-is-worse-they-act-perversely-while/) Daniel D. Polsby ## More by Matthew Bracken > [“National security was invoked so freely that the First Amendment had become an empty promise. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/national-security-was-invoked-so-freely-that-the-first-amendment-had/) [Matthew Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/) > [“sighed in resignation, having long since given up on today’s youth and their utter historical illiteracy, a product of their deliberate educational brainwashing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/sighed-in-resignation-having-long-since-given-up-on-today-s-youth-and/) [Matthew Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/) > [“Even in a revolutionary movement, most people are like sheep.  They are naturally afraid, and like sheep, they have to be led.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/even-in-a-revolutionary-movement-most-people-are-like-sheep-they-are/) [Matthew Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/) > [“It was Che’s dictum that it was better to execute one hundred innocent men, than to allow one clever traitor to live to challenge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/it-was-che-s-dictum-that-it-was-better-to-execute-one-hundred/) [Matthew Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/) > [“All of these new “Big Brother” laws had been sold under the guise of combating terrorism and increasing security, but none of them dared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/all-of-these-new-big-brother-laws-had-been-sold-under-the-guise-of/) [Matthew Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/) > [“In reality, there was no truly free press in America anymore,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/in-reality-there-was-no-truly-free-press-in-america-anymore/) [Matthew Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/) > [“watched in mounting frustration, as the perversely named Patriot Acts (One and Two) had become law.  Then came the Total Information Awareness program, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/watched-in-mounting-frustration-as-the-perversely-named-patriot-acts/) [Matthew Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/) > [“America really is two countries today.  One half still loves freedom, and the other half’s already socialist, even if they don’t call it that—yet. …](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/america-really-is-two-countries-today-one-half-still-loves-freedom/) [Matthew Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/) > [“Unknown to the sleeping family, three of their cell phones had been covertly switched on, providing the STU with interior audio listening devices paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/unknown-to-the-sleeping-family-three-of-their-cell-phones-had-been/) [Matthew Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/) [Explore all 10 Matthew Bracken quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/) ## More Amendment quotes > [There are a lot of people who want to retain the Eighth Amendment - I don't agree with that view myself - there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/there-are-a-lot-of-people-who-want-to-retain-the-eighth-amendment-i/) [Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/) > [“Let's just make this easy. I'm in favor of a Constitutional amendment that would read something like this: 'Neither the federal government, nor any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-boortz/let-s-just-make-this-easy-i-m-in-favor-of-a-constitutional-amendment/) [Neal Boortz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-boortz/) > [If you reduce the guns and the ammo, you'll reduce the murders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/if-you-reduce-the-guns-and-the-ammo-you-ll-reduce-the-murders/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Gun control laws don't work. What is worse, they act perversely. While legitimate users of firearms encounter intense regulation, scrutiny and bureaucratic control, illicit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-polsby/gun-control-laws-don-t-work-what-is-worse-they-act-perversely-while/) Daniel D. Polsby > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [This separation was absolute in our original Republic. But the sky-godders do not give up easily. In the 1950s they actually got the phrase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/this-separation-was-absolute-in-our-original-republic-but-the-sky/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Guns aren't the problem; sick people are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sessions/guns-aren-t-the-problem-sick-people-are/) [Pete Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sessions/) > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. They feel that it makes their profession too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-proliferation-of-right-to-carry-laws-throughout-the-states-has/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [Gun violence has cost us too many political leaders, and hardly ever the worst ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/gun-violence-has-cost-us-too-many-political-leaders-and-hardly-ever/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [I don't think anybody who carries a rifle carries the future. Because I don't believe that you can really change the world by killing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/i-don-t-think-anybody-who-carries-a-rifle-carries-the-future-because/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) > [“my folks wouldn't read a book if you put a gun to their dicks. but they read people all day long and always get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/my-folks-wouldn-t-read-a-book-if-you-put-a-gun-to-their-dicks-but/) [Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/) > [Anybody who pretends that how you read the 10th and 11th Amendment doesn't have a fundamental impact on the things we care about is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/anybody-who-pretends-that-how-you-read-the-10th-and-11th-amendment/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [I think we have two conflicting traditions in this country. I think it's important for us to recognize that we've got a tradition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-we-have-two-conflicting-traditions-in-this-country-i-think-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Country lyrics often reference the NRA and firearms ownership as a way of life. Artists such as John Rich, Toby Keith, Sara Evans and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-pavlich/country-lyrics-often-reference-the-nra-and-firearms-ownership-as-a/) [Katie Pavlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-pavlich/) > [“People who have attended Concealed Carry classes, and those already licensed, typically seem to demonstrate a higher degree of courtesy, responsibility and respect. Interestingly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-behr/people-who-have-attended-concealed-carry-classes-and-those-already/) [Gary Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-behr/) [Browse all 2,041 Amendment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Gun control was never about safety: it was just about taking power away from ordinary Americans,” said Carson.  “It’s to make it safe for the police, in a police state.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Matthew Bracken" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/gun-control-was-never-about-safety-it-was-just-about-taking-power/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Amendment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/gun-control-was-never-about-safety-it-was-just-about-taking-power/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/matthew-bracken-42626_amendment_gun-control-was-never-about-safety-it-wa_2795264.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/matthew-bracken-42626_amendment_gun-control-was-never-about-safety-it-wa_2795264.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/matthew-bracken-42626_amendment_gun-control-was-never-about-safety-it-wa_2795264.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Gun control was never about safety: it was just about taking power away from ordinary Americans,” said…” — Matthew Bracken", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Matthew Bracken", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-bracken/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Gun control was never about safety:...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/gun-control-was-never-about-safety-it-was-just-about-taking-power/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-bracken/gun-control-was-never-about-safety-it-was-just-about-taking-power/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```