Coney island Quote by Michael Waldman
““Wayne LaPierre feverishly explained that all Americans must be armed. “After Hurricane Sandy, we saw the hellish world that the gun prohibitionists see as their utopia,” he wrote. “Looters ran wild in south Brooklyn. There was no food, water or electricity. And if you wanted to walk several miles to get supplies, you better get back before dark, or you might not get home at all.” LaPierre’s version of the hurricane mystified those who lived through it. Coney Island was unusually peaceful: there were no murders, no rapes, and no shootings that week, according to the New York City Police Department.””
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times op‑ed, 2013
Warren argues that gun‑control advocates exaggerate chaos after disasters, using anecdotal horror to push for armed citizens.
In simple terms: He says fear‑mongering is used to justify more guns.
Key Takeaway
Question fear‑based narratives.
Themes
politics
media
gun control
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
opinion
political
When to use this quote
- disaster response
- policy debate
- public safety
Key Concepts
propaganda
risk perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How reliable are anecdotal accounts in shaping policy?
- What evidence contradicts the “lawless” narrative?
A Different Perspective
The claim overlooks data showing many disasters have low violent crime rates.
