Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund and Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund released a new attack ad this week targeting Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Dr. Oz is the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania.
And Everytown wants Keystone State voters to believe that with him in office, they’ll be less safe because Dr. Oz has voiced support for one’s right to keep and bear arms while on the campaign trail.
The new 30-second ad, titled “Home,” specifically targets women voters.
“For too many women, home is the last place they feel safe,” the narrator of the ad begins. “Because when an abuser’s armed, women are five times more likely to be killed.”
“Mehmet Oz would make it easier for domestic abusers to get guns, even opposing background checks on all gun sales,” the narrator continues. “That’s why 9-1-1 calls for domestic violence are among the most dangerous — for women and police.”
“Mehmet Oz won’t keep us safe,” the narrator concludes.
Of course, the ad makes very little sense and is patronizing to women.
For starters, the majority of women have the agency and fortitude to move elsewhere if they don’t feel safe. To imply otherwise comes across as sexist.
Second, existing federal law prohibits convicted domestic abusers from possessing firearms. If an abuser has a weapon, he has already broken the law. Given that the abuser has now broken laws prohibiting violence against women and laws regulating the possession of deadly weapons is it prudent to assume the passage of additional gun control measures will keep this violent lawbreaker in check? Of course not. But that is the overarching and misguided logic of gun-control advocates: truly violent people can be stopped by further restricting the 2A rights of law-abiding citizens.
Third, a capable adult should never rely on someone else, let alone a politician or the government, to keep them safe. So, yes, it’s true, Dr. Oz won’t keep you safe, but neither will more gun control laws. The hard reality is that if a woman wants to optimize her personal safety she needs to be prepared to use force, including deadly force, against those who would do her harm. Many believe, including Dr. Oz (if we are to take him at his word), that empowering women to exercise their 2A rights is the best way to ensure their personal safety. In fact, a recent report on CNN highlighted this very topic.
WATCH: CNN Reports on Why More Liberal-Leaning Women Are Buying Guns
Despite the many flaws with the messaging of the ad, Everytown will spend $2.1 million airing it on TV and digital platforms starting in the Philadelphia market.
“The overwhelming majority of Pennsylvania voters are looking for candidates who will stand up for public safety and fight for common-sense gun safety laws,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Everytown’s investment will ensure Pennsylvania voters know the truth: by standing in the way of gun violence prevention laws, extremists Mehmet Oz and Doug Mastriano are a threat to the safety of our families and communities.”
Dr. Oz is facing off with the state’s lieutenant governor John Fetterman, a Democrat, in the upcoming midterms. Both are hoping to take over for incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Toomey who has opted not to run for re-election.
Whoever prevails will likely tilt the balance of power in the Senate to their respective party. Recent polling by the Cook Political Report has the Oz-Fetterman showdown as a “toss-up.”
Feinblatt making statements without any real evidence again?
the “majority” Feinblatt?
Where is that poll?
I can’t find it, does it exist?
If this is as before, he’s lying.
Again.
They should change their name to “Everyclown” it would be more fitting for that organization.
You know if this disgusting group Everytown is attacking Dr Oz, he is the best candidate for the position. Look at who he is up against. Fetterman, an oafish man boy who lived at home and with an allowance in to his 40s. He is so inept he can’t even debate. And that’s the fool the people of Pennsylvania want to represent them. Pathetic.
I think they have it backwards. He’s not making it easier for domestic abusers to get guns, he’s making it easier for the abused women to get them to defend themselves. If Everytown has its way, the abused women will have no defense.