Scranton Mayor Advocates for Disarming Police and Adopting Japan’s Gun Laws
In a video from 2020, Democratic Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti expressed her support for disarming police officers and adopting stricter gun control measures similar to those in Japan. Cognetti, who is challenging Republican Pennsylvania Rep. Rob Bresnahan for the 8th Congressional District seat, has shown alignment with anti-Second Amendment organizations like Everytown.
During a virtual town hall in June 2020, she spoke about her aspirations of living in a society without firearms. “I want to get to a country where there are no firearms, no police, and a world where there are no firearms and no citizens,” Cognetti remarked, reminiscing about her years in Japan where she noted the absence of guns created a sense of safety.
Her comments reflect a strong belief that a lack of firearms contributes significantly to the safety of a community. “We don’t have to worry about these things because there are no guns there, and that’s going to be a big reality in our lives,” she added.
Japan’s firearms regulations, established under the Firearms and Swords Control Law of 1958, are notably strict. They generally prohibit private ownership of firearms and swords, allowing only shotguns and air rifles under rigorous conditions, which include extensive background checks, mental health evaluations, and a proficiency exam that requires over 95 percent accuracy.
Cognetti reiterated her commitment to advancing gun control policies in the U.S., noting that she had been recognized with an award from Everytown ahead of her re-election bid in 2025.
However, Cognetti has not responded to inquiries from the Daily Caller News Foundation regarding her statements. Critics from the National Rifle Association Legislative Action Institute have argued that such measures would infringe upon civil liberties and contradict the foundational rights established in the Bill of Rights.
Dave Kopel commented, pointing out the inherent difficulties in applying Japanese-style gun control to the U.S., given the cultural and legal differences. He stated, “Without repealing the Bill of Rights, the United States could not give police and prosecutors broad Japanese-style powers to effectively enforce strict gun laws.”
Riley Richardson, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, labeled Cognetti as a “political opportunist,” asserting that she aims to undermine the rights of law-abiding citizens while making life easier for criminals. “Pennsylvanians know that Cognetti will do whatever it takes to take away their constitutional rights,” Richardson warned.
