U.S. Data Shows 51% of White Americans Favor Stricter Gun Laws, Contradicting Activist's Claim

Libertarian activist and entrepreneur Jeremy Kauffman recently ignited controversy with a social media post asserting that "America is not an ethnicity," but that "Whites are the only race to: 1) Support free speech. 2) Not want more gun control. 3) Oppose socialism. 4) Not find their race special." The claims, made on a platform where Kauffman has a history of provocative statements, stand in contrast to recent public opinion data across various demographic groups in the United States.

Kauffman, known for founding the blockchain-based project LBRY and his involvement with the Free State Project, has a history of controversial remarks, including calls to repeal the Civil Rights Act. He was expelled from the Free State Project board in October 2023, with the board citing his "internet trolling and perceived promotion of racism on social media" as reasons. His latest tweet continues this pattern of racially charged commentary.

Regarding free speech, while abstract support for the principle is high across the U.S., surveys indicate nuanced views on its application. Data from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and Pew Research Center show that support for free speech can vary when confronted with specific controversial topics or speakers, with partisan and racial differences emerging. For instance, Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans often express higher concerns about hate speech and discrimination.

On gun control, Kauffman's assertion that "Whites are the only race to... Not want more gun control" is directly challenged by recent findings. A Pew Research Center survey in April 2024 revealed that 51% of white Americans favor stricter gun laws, though this is lower than the support among Black (77%), Asian (74%), and Hispanic (68%) adults. This indicates a significant portion of white Americans do support more gun control, despite the generalization made in the tweet.

Furthermore, the claim that "Whites are the only race to... Oppose socialism" does not align with survey data. A September 2022 Pew Research Center study found that while white Americans generally have less positive views of socialism (31% positive) compared to Black (52%), Asian (49%), and Hispanic (41%) Americans, opposition is not exclusive to any single racial group. Views on socialism and capitalism are complex, influenced by age and income, and vary within all racial demographics.

The fourth claim, that white people "Not find their race special," is subjective and lacks objective empirical basis for verification or refutation. Kauffman's tweet, however, presents a series of unique and positive attributes attributed solely to white individuals, implicitly positioning the group as distinct and, in effect, "special" in these regards. The statements contribute to a broader discourse that often simplifies complex societal views into racial binaries.