A recent letter to The New York Times Magazine’s “Ethicist” column posed a question that may signal a subtle but significant cultural shift: Should left-leaning Americans start buying guns? The letter came from a woman who described herself and her husband as Democrats living in a major liberal city. Her husband, increasingly uneasy about the country’s political trajectory, wants to purchase a gun, not because of crime, but due to fears of potential political violence.
The couple isn’t living in fear of break-ins or random street crime. Their home feels safe. Instead, the threat they’re imagining is more abstract and unsettling: unrest fueled by ideological extremism, polarization, or political collapse. As the woman wrote, “A gun would make my husband feel some control over our safety.”
The Ethicist’s Cautious Reply
The New York Times’ ethics columnist, Kwame Anthony Appiah, a philosopher known for nuanced moral reasoning, responded with restraint and logic. While acknowledging the couple’s anxiety, he offered a clear counterpoint: owning a gun may feel empowering, but statistically, it’s more likely to increase harm than reduce it.
“As you’re aware,” Appiah wrote, “bringing a gun into our homes doesn’t seem to tip the odds in our favor.” He referenced research showing that guns rarely prevent injury or loss during crimes, and instead raise the risk of domestic accidents, suicides, or impulsive violence.
Guns and the Illusion of Control
Appiah offered a pointed observation: owning a gun might offer a sense of control, but it doesn’t necessarily confer actual safety. It might instead be a reaction to fear, especially fear shaped by media or dystopian what-ifs. “Maybe there’s a ‘Last of Us’ scenario flickering in your heads,” he said, referencing the post-apocalyptic television show.
That hypothetical scenario, in which a gun becomes a survival necessity, is more cinematic than probable. And even if it were to happen, he added, “being armed to your toes seems unlikely to do anything but escalate the dangers for you.”
A Personal Belief in Conflict
What makes this letter so compelling is the ethical and emotional conflict expressed by the woman who wrote it. She admits she believes guns are “evil” and imagines a better world without them. Yet she fears that holding firm to her beliefs could leave her unprepared for a future where civil order breaks down.
It’s a dilemma many Americans may now quietly grapple with: how do you balance personal values with evolving threats? Can you oppose gun culture while also feeling drawn to its logic, if only as a fallback plan?
Political Violence: A Growing Concern
While Appiah emphasized that fears of political violence may be exaggerated, he didn’t dismiss them entirely. His response acknowledged the unsettling political climate in America, one where some on both the left and right are preparing for the possibility of ideological confrontation.
It’s not paranoia to recognize that political violence has already occurred, from the January 6 Capitol riot to isolated clashes at protests nationwide. The couple’s concern is part of a broader, increasingly bipartisan anxiety about the fragility of the republic.
The Data Behind Gun Ownership
Appiah didn’t base his argument on emotion but on empirical data. He cited a 2017 estimate that placed the number of firearms in American civilian hands at 393 million, meaning there are more guns than people in the U.S.
Despite the saturation, studies have found little evidence that private gun ownership reduces harm during a crime. Conversely, the presence of a firearm in the home significantly increases risks, especially for suicide, domestic disputes, and accidental discharges.
These statistics are often emphasized in progressive circles and remain a key foundation for Appiah’s stance.
Owning a Gun as a Political Statement
Yet gun ownership isn’t just a matter of risk assessment. In America, it’s also a symbolic and political act. For decades, guns have been culturally coded as “right-wing.” But this is slowly changing.
The couple’s question suggests that some Democrats are reconsidering their relationship with the Second Amendment – not because they’ve embraced conservative politics, but because reality is beginning to erode their assumptions.
A Shifting Cultural Landscape
In recent years, data has shown a slow but measurable increase in liberal gun ownership. Organizations like the Liberal Gun Club and Armed Equality have gained traction, offering training and advocacy for gun rights within progressive frameworks. This isn’t an overnight revolution, but it may signal a realignment of American attitudes toward firearms.
When even those who believe guns are “evil” begin to consider buying them, it shows just how deep the undercurrents of fear and uncertainty have become.
Reasonable People Are Wrestling With a Real Issue
From my perspective, the letter writer’s internal struggle is more than understandable – it’s emblematic of where America is heading. She doesn’t want to give in to fear, but she also doesn’t want to be caught off guard if institutions fail.
Her dilemma reminds us that the Second Amendment is not the property of any one political party. It exists for all citizens, and in uncertain times, even those with a historical distrust of guns may seek its protections.
Appiah’s Core Message: Hold Fast to Values
Ultimately, Appiah urges the couple to stand firm. “Real control lies in holding fast to your reasoned beliefs,” he wrote, “not in giving way to fear.” His ethical framework leans toward principle over precaution. From his perspective, introducing a gun into their home is a moral compromise based on a speculative future.
It’s a powerful argument – but perhaps one that only works for those who still believe the systems around them will hold.
Fear Isn’t Always Irrational – But It’s Not Always Useful
There’s a difference between being afraid and being paranoid. The couple’s fears are grounded in real-world events, but Appiah warns that fear can become self-fulfilling. Arming oneself out of anticipation of violence might escalate tension, not mitigate it.
Still, fear can be useful if it leads to preparedness rather than panic. A gun is only one form of preparation – and for some, perhaps not the best one.
The Line Between Caution and Capitulation
The letter to the Ethicist highlights a growing philosophical divide – not just between left and right, but within individual minds. Is gun ownership a betrayal of principle, or a reluctant adaptation to reality?
Appiah encourages holding the line. But others may find the line itself has shifted. In 2025, it’s no longer surprising to hear that Democrats are considering buying guns. What’s surprising is that many now feel they have to.
Raised in a small Arizona town, Kevin grew up surrounded by rugged desert landscapes and a family of hunters. His background in competitive shooting and firearms training has made him an authority on self-defense and gun safety. A certified firearms instructor, Kevin teaches others how to properly handle and maintain their weapons, whether for hunting, home defense, or survival situations. His writing focuses on responsible gun ownership, marksmanship, and the role of firearms in personal preparedness.