Democrat and Scranton, PA, Mayor Paige Cognetti is vying to flip a red congressional seat blue by defeating Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA).
A resurfaced video from 2020 reveals a gun-grabbing posture that some voters may not be aware of. In the video, taken from a virtual town hall, Cognetti expressed support for disarming police and emulating Japan's gun-control laws to take away guns from citizens.
Japan has some of the strictest gun control laws in the developed world. The Firearms and Swords Control Law 1958 states that no one shall possess a firearm except under narrow, strictly regulated exceptions. Handguns are banned with almost no exceptions for ordinary citizens.
Cognetti shared her views, stating, “I would love to get to a world where a country where we don't have or police don't have firearms and where we don't have firearms that citizens aren't carrying them either.” She added, “I've lived in Japan for a couple years. There are no guns there and it's lovely.”
Cognetti reiterated her stance during an interview, saying, “I do want to get to a point where we don't have to worry about any officers having holsters or guns in them. That is ideally where we get as a whole country.”
National Republican Congressional Committee officials have criticized Cognetti's views, labeling her a "political opportunist" who wants to strip law-abiding citizens of their constitutional rights. They argue that this move would make life easier for criminals.
Opponents of Cognetti have also highlighted her past comments on law enforcement and public safety. They point out that she has downplayed rising gang violence and murders, and wants to disarm the police. Her campaign manager for Rep. Bresnahan has called her out for her priorities, stating, “The people of Scranton deserve better.”
