Anti-tax activist Grover Norquist became the latest in a long list of political figures evoking “Star Wars” to press their points Satruday, detailing the analogy in a series of tweets attacking President Obama’s plans to take executive action on gun control in 2016.
“To understand what Obama wants in our future,” tweeted Norquist, “watch the Star Wars movies and imagine that only the storm troopers have guns.” Stormtroopers are the foot soldiers of the evil Empire in “Star Wars.”
To understand what Obama wants in our future….
….Watch the Star Wars movies and imagine that only the storm troopers have guns.
— Grover Norquist (@GroverNorquist) January 2, 2016
Norquist followed up by saying “Darth Vader supports gun control,” referring to the Dark Lord of the Sith who plays the antagonist for much of the original “Star Wars” trilogy.
Darth Vader supports gun control.
— Grover Norquist (@GroverNorquist) January 2, 2016
During his first weekly address address of the year, Obama said he would meet with Attorney General Loretta Lynch to discuss options in taking actions to reduce gun violence.
Multiple outlets have reported that Obama is set to use his executive authority to require more gun sellers to perform background checks on firearm purchasers, a step that would reduce but not close what gun control advocates call a loophole in federal background check requirements.
Many Republicans argue the promised action would improperly bypass Congress on gun control.
Why does Obama rant about gun control?
We could solve 2/3 of gun deaths by outlawing suicide.
Let’s try that first.— Grover Norquist (@GroverNorquist) January 2, 2016
In a follow-up email with the Washington Examiner, Norquist, who is known for pushing lawmakers to pledge not to raise taxes, argued that gun control “through history is about the drive to gain unchallenged government control,” like that sought by the Galactic Empire.
“In Star Wars — and in most nations throughout history — The empire wishes to maintain control unchallenged,” Norquist said, adding that it would seek to do so without treating its subjects as “citizens” with rights.
Darth Vader’s power, Norquist continued, “comes from his having much more power than others.”
“The Storm Troopers are all powerful — as long as others do not have ‘blasters,'” Norquist said.
A governing body with a monopoly on the use of force, Norquist said, is “one where the dark side is always calling out to the best of us — you don’t have to treat others as equals, you have the power of treats them as subjects.”
“Power like guns can be used for good or evil,” Norquist said.
“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely,” he added, in what was arguably a reference to Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi’s line in “Revenge of the Sith.” Obi Wan says: “Only a Sith deals in absolutes.”
Prominent politicians including President Obama, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have talked up “Star Wars” in the last month. Despite Norquist’s view, Clinton, a gun control advocate, sides with the Rebel Alliance. She completed her closing remarks at last month’s Democratic debate with the salutation: “May the force be with you.”
