Chicago has been riddled by shootings for far too long. By the end of this past July, Chicago had recorded more than 300 murders – more than any other U.S. city. Much of the violence is tied to gangs.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), who shared a news report about a teenager who was shot and killed in Chicago last week, said the blame lies with Republicans, and they need to "act" to fix it. Presumably, he was talking about gun control.
This is heartbreaking. Chicago has lost far too many aspiring young people to senseless gun violence. When will Republicans in Congress finally decide to act? https://t.co/4dCk5YODwZ
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) September 8, 2018
Just as soon as Durbin blamed the GOP for the slaughter, some social media users pointed out a fact that the senator overlooked.
DEMOCRATS HAVE CONTROLLED CHICAGO FOR OVER 80 YEARS!!
— kerry - user of straws (@K1erry) September 10, 2018
Chicago has been ruled by Democrats for well over 50 years. Cook county has some of the most strict gun laws in all of the land. What the hell are you talking about?
— Nicholas (@nmanocs6) September 10, 2018
Some question the narrative that Chicago's gun laws explain the violence, noting that the Windy City does not have the strictest gun laws in the country.
Still, the liberal leadership in Chicago has done little to curb the carnage. Last month, protesters marched and demanded Mayor Rahm Emanuel's resignation because of his inaction on both the violence and the poverty that is destroying too many neighborhoods. The activists got a partial win last week, when the mayor announced he's not seeking re-election.
The status quo isn't working, so some Chicagoans are offering their own solutions.
Senator, guns don't kill people, people kill people. We already have the strictest gun control laws. Quick, harsh consequences as a start. Education, respect for others will help. Making parents more accountable for their children those are the only way to make a change.
— Observer (@comfort4556) September 11, 2018