WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) once again ignited a national debate on gun violence this week, reiterating his widely quoted assertion that “We don’t need more gun control. We need more idiot control.” His remarks, made in the immediate aftermath of a deadly mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan on Monday, July 28, 2025, quickly went viral and drew both fervent support and sharp criticism.
Speaking on Fox News’ “Hannity,” Senator Kennedy dismissed calls for stricter gun control laws following the incident, where a gunman killed four people, including a police officer, before taking his own life.1 “We have hundreds of gun control laws, Sean. Maybe thousands,” Kennedy stated. “In my judgment, we do not need more gun control, we need more idiot control. And I don’t know exactly how to do that, but I do know this — I don’t want to hear anyone feeling sorry for this guy who did this.”
The Louisiana Republican has a long history of employing the “idiot control” phrase in response to gun violence incidents, having used it after the Boulder supermarket shooting in 2021, the Parkland school shooting in 2018, and other tragic events. His consistent stance reflects a viewpoint prevalent among many conservatives that focus should be placed on addressing the mental health, criminal intent, or underlying issues of perpetrators, rather than enacting further restrictions on firearms.
Kennedy, a staunch opponent of increased gun control, holds a high rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA).2 He has previously advocated for strengthening existing national background check databases, accusing Democrats of filibustering Republican efforts to close loopholes in these systems.
His recent comments, however, drew swift condemnation from gun control advocates and social media users. Critics argued that focusing on “idiot control” deflects from the tangible policy measures that could limit access to firearms. “You can’t control idiots, never will. That’s why gun control is the answer,” one X (formerly Twitter) user responded. Another quipped, “You could try to implement policies to prevent idiots from getting guns. Kind of like gun control.”
The exchange highlights the deep ideological chasm in the United States over how to best address gun violence, with one side emphasizing individual responsibility and the other advocating for legislative solutions regarding firearms themselves. As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of mass shootings, Senator Kennedy’s blunt assessment ensures the “idiot control” refrain remains a contentious point in the ongoing gun debate.
