Fox News host and Daily Caller Editor-in-Chief Tucker Carlson acknowledged that it is not politically unwise for Democrats to embrace gun safety as a centerpiece campaign issue, breaking with the media's long-held conventional wisdom that Democrats should avoid talking about the issue because it is allegedly politically perilous to oppose the gun lobby.

Carlson's admission that it makes sense for Democrats to talk about guns ahead of the 2016 election is surprising given that the National Rifle Association -- which is deeply entwined with Carlson's conservative news website, The Daily Caller -- benefits from the media status quo, which baselessly presents the gun issue as dangerous for Democrats.

During the October 15 broadcast of America's Newsroom, Carlson appeared as a guest to discuss the prominence of gun violence prevention as a topic of discussion in CNN's October 13 Democratic primary debate. Carlson said, “Politically, it's probably not a dumb play for Democrats. America has changed dramatically in its demographic composition.” He also noted that the issue “polls pretty well” with “suburban and single women.”

When asked whether Democrats might “overplay their hand” advocating for gun safety laws, Carlson replied, “Again, the population has really changed in the United States and Republicans need to clearly articulate why this will not make the country safer and until they do, and unless they do, they could lose this debate.”

Though he acknowledged that it makes political sense for Democrats to talk about the need for more gun safety laws, Carlson also pushed several pro-gun talking points, including claiming that Democratic gun policy proposals are “laughable” and “infantile,” and falsely declaring that their goal is to “disarm the population.”

The idea that Democrats who support gun safety proposals will lose elections after the National Rifle Association mobilizes voters against them is a longstanding myth in media coverage of the gun issue, although there has never been any evidence to support the theory.

From the October 15 edition of Fox News' America's Newsroom:

BILL HEMMER: Where does this issue go in terms of politics in this campaign?

TUCKER CARLSON: Well, there are two ways to look at it, on the political half and then of course the policy, i.e. the reality half. Politically, it's probably not a dumb play for Democrats. America has changed dramatically in its demographic composition, and there are a couple of groups Democrats need to win. One is suburban and single women, and this issue polls pretty well with them, for sure, and the other, of course, is trial lawyers, from whom a lot of Democratic campaign funds come.

[...]

HEMMER: Republicans think Democrats are going to overplay their hand on this. Is there evidence that suggests they are right about that in an election year?

CARLSON: I don't think -- I wouldn't take that for granted. Again, the population has really changed in the United States and Republicans need to clearly articulate why this will not make the country safer and until they do, and unless they do, they could lose this debate. I say that with sorrow, but it's true. They have to make a strong rhetorical case. It's there for the taking, but they have to be bold in making it.

Related:

Democratic Candidates Picked a Big Fight with the NRA at Their First 2016 Debate

Previously:

How Do You Cover The Gun “Debate” When One Side Spouts Nonsense?

The Media Myth Of NRA Electoral Dominance Should End With 2012