Gregg Popovich has never kept his political opinions to himself. Whether it's saying that Trump's election made him "sick to his stomach" or calling on politicians to address racial inequalities, Popovich has been a staunch advocate of liberal ideologies.
Guns are an ever-present element of American life and politics. The Second Amendment of the Constitution allows private citizens to own firearms and it is one of America's most fiercely defended statutes. However, it is also one of the most hotly debated facets of American law. Mass shootings have become a common aspect of the news cycle, especially those that take place at educational institutions. However, despite tragedies such as the March 27 shooting at a Tennessee school, lawmakers in several states have pushed against gun control legislation. In some cases, states have passed laws that make firearms more readily available. This is despite a majority of Americans supporting stricter gun control. This trend led to Popovich speaking out over the weekend.
Popovich Blasts Lawmakers
During his media availability ahead of the Spurs' April 9 regular-season finale against the Mavericks, Popovich gave a nine-minute speech about gun control. He primarily directed his comments at leaders in Texas, such as Governor Greg Abbott. "I just wondered because we have a governor and lieutenant governor and an attorney general that made it easier to have more guns...That was a response to our kids getting murdered. I just thought that was a little bit strange decision. It's just me, though." He also called out Texas Senator Ted Cruz by name as he lambasted the "myth of the Second Amendment".
However, Popovich didn't limit his comments to Texas alone. He also spoke about the Tennessee State House expelling two Black lawmakers for supporting a student-led gun control rally in early April. "I mean, we've got two young Black guys in Tennessee who just got railroaded by a bunch of people that I would bet down deep in their soul want to go back to Jim Crow. And what they just did is a good start. It's beyond comprehension. And what were they guilty of? They actually protested?" Popovich said. With another mass shooting occurring earlier on April 10, Popovich's words are likely to ring truer than ever.
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