Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) is calling for a "popular revolt" if the United States Supreme Court continues to block new gun control laws.
The Connecticut Senator made the controversial comments on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday morning, calling into question the credibility and legitimacy of the current court.
Murphy cited the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision striking down New York's restrictions on concealed carry and the recent Virginia District Court decision that ruled banning gun sales for 18-20-year-olds would effectively impose restrictions on certain citizens that "do not exist with other constitutional guarantees."
The Democratic Senator made it clear that legislators would continue to "regulate who owns weapons and what kind of weapons are owned" regardless of pushback from the courts. He also referenced the recent passage of the first major gun safety initiative in over 30 years and how Republican states like Tennessee and Texas are considering red flag laws and raising the age to buy assault weapons.
Murphy's comments have drawn ire from gun rights activists, who believe that the Senator's call for a "popular revolt" is an attempt to undermine the Second Amendment and the Supreme Court.
"It's concerning that a U.S. Senator is calling for citizens to revolt against a ruling of the Supreme Court," said Erich Pratt, the senior vice president of Gun Owners of America. "This type of rhetoric is dangerous and undermines the rule of law. We need to respect the decisions of the Supreme Court, even if we disagree with them."
Murphy's comments also come at a time when the Supreme Court is set to hear a case that could determine the fate of gun control laws nationwide. The case focuses on a New York City law that restricted the transport of firearms outside the city limits, a law that the city repealed after the court agreed to hear the case.
The Supreme Court's decision in this case will no doubt be closely watched, and could be the deciding factor in the future of gun control in the United States.
WATCH:
Democrat Senator Chris Murphy: "There's gonna be a popular revolt" if the Supreme Court finds "universal background checks" or assault weapons bans are unconstitutional pic.twitter.com/1bBZDmFFsd
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) May 14, 2023