When it comes to firearm legislation, it doesn’t matter if you are watching CNN report on legislation, listening to Democratic politicians tout their arguments for the legislation, or speaking to a liberal on the street espousing the merits of the legislation, one concept that is repeatedly espoused is that the legislation sought is “common-sense gun control.”

The phrase “common-sense gun control” is a misnomer.  By definition, “sense” is the ability to make factually based rational conclusions.  Denoting it as “common” suggests that given the same facts, most will come to the same rational conclusions without much debate.  Neither is the case when advocating for gun control.

Most arguments favoring gun control begin with pointing out the tragedies that have occurred when an individual has misused a firearm, which causes widespread sorrow.  The argument continues by ignoring the individual’s responsibility while demonizing the firearm, arguing that such tragedies will continue if the demon is not controlled, spurs widespread fear.  Consequently, these emotions of sorrow and fear become the impetus for justifying further gun control.  Therefore, the conclusion that more gun control is warranted is not a factually based rational conclusion but an emotionally based response and, as such, is not sensible.

Additionally, the divide amongst the people regarding whether there is a need for further gun control and the continually heated debates on the topic demonstrates a lack of consensus required for commonality.

Accordingly, there is no such thing as “common-sense gun control.”  The term is quite simply a political meme intended to grow support through redundant emotional pleas without the implication of common sense at all.