The Transgender Violence Myth: How the Far Right's Lie Blocks Gun Reform and Excuses Their Own Atrocities

At NoodlesOfAsia.com, we turn to the ramen noodle as a reminder of unadorned truth—a basic, accessible food that sustains without pretense, inviting everyone to the table regardless of background. In 2025's overheated political landscape, the far right peddles a far less nourishing narrative: the baseless myth that transgender individuals and "the far left" are rampant sources of violence, particularly mass shootings. This fiction isn't just misinformation; it's a deliberate diversion, used to sabotage common-sense gun laws while providing cover for the far right's own epidemic of political terror. Data paints a stark picture: Transgender people are overwhelmingly victims, not perpetrators, with rates of violent victimization four times higher than cisgender folks. Yet conservatives weaponize rare, exaggerated cases—like the 2025 Minneapolis Catholic school shooting—to stoke fear, block reforms, and justify their own assaults, from Jan. 6 to militia rampages. As the Gun Violence Archive confirms, transgender individuals account for less than 0.1% of mass shootings since 2013. In this post, we'll debunk the myth, expose its role in derailing gun safety, and highlight how it greenlights far-right fury—because when lies simmer unchecked, they poison the pot for everyone.

The Myth Unpacked: Transgender People as Victims, Not Villains

The far right's core claim—that transgender individuals drive widespread violence—is a house of cards built on hoaxes and cherry-picked outliers. Despite comprising just 0.5-1.6% of the U.S. population, trans people are four times more likely to face violent crime than cisgender peers, including rape, assault, and homicide. The Williams Institute's 2022 analysis of National Crime Victimization Survey data showed trans victimization rates at 51.5 per 1,000—2.5 times the cisgender average. HRC's 2024 Epidemic of Violence report tallied 36 trans and gender-expansive murders that year, up from prior years, with over 70% involving firearms—Black trans women bearing the brunt.

Perpetration? Negligible. The Gun Violence Archive tracked 5,748 mass shootings from 2013-2025; only five involved confirmed trans shooters—less than 0.1%. Wikipedia's entry on transgender violence misinformation catalogs hoaxes: False claims about the 2022 Uvalde shooter or 2024 Abundant Life Christian School perpetrator being trans, debunked swiftly but lingering in right-wing echo chambers. The 2025 Minneapolis church shooting, where a trans woman killed two, was seized upon—despite her right-wing ties and no "trans terrorism" pattern. Experts like Laura Dugan dismiss the threat: "Just not a concern."

"Far left" violence fares no better. CSIS's 2025 report notes left-wing attacks rose post-2016 but remain rare—41 incidents since then, killing 13, versus 152 far-right attacks killing 112. Through mid-2025, left-wing incidents outpaced right-wing for the first time in 30 years, but right-wing violence is historically deadlier and more frequent—227 far-right homicides since 1990 versus far fewer from the left. The Economist's September 2025 analysis confirms: Political violence is low overall, but right-wing dominates lethality.

The myth persists via amplification: Right-wing media and bots flood X with "trans terror" hoaxes, as in the Nashville Covenant shooting—debunked, but viewed millions of times. GLAAD's ALERT Desk tracked 750+ anti-trans incidents since 2022, often tied to these lies. It's not data—it's deflection.

Blocking the Barrel: The Myth as Ammo Against Gun Reform

This fabricated threat serves a clear agenda: Derail gun laws by shifting blame from firearms to "monsters" like trans people or leftists. After mass shootings, conservatives pivot: "Trans terrorism" distracts from easy access to AR-15s, as in Nashville or Minneapolis. SPLC's Hatewatch notes it's a "diversionary tactic": Smear trans folks to sell guns and block reforms like universal background checks.

Trump's DOJ floated a 2025 trans gun ban via "gender dysphoria" as mental defect—ironic, as NRA slammed it as unconstitutional, exposing the ploy. It backfired politically, but succeeded in muddying waters: Post-Nashville, GOP killed red-flag expansions, claiming "trans threats" over gun access. Everytown reports 70% of trans homicides involve guns—yet the myth diverts from that lethality.

This echoes broader patterns: After Uvalde, MTG blamed "trans ideology" over AR-15s, blocking assault weapon bans. The Appeal calls it "one of many diversionary tactics": Marginalize groups to prop up NRA myths that "criminals ignore laws." Result? Stagnant reform amid 600+ mass shootings yearly.

Justifying the Fury: Excusing Far-Right Atrocities

The myth's ugliest function? License far-right violence by portraying the left and trans folks as existential threats. CSIS data: Right-wing extremists committed 75% of ideologically motivated murders since 1990, killing 520+. ADL's 2024 report: 75% of extremist murders far-right. Yet after Kirk's 2025 killing (by a right-wing radical), Trump blamed "radical left," ignoring patterns like Jan. 6 (140+ officers injured) or Buffalo (10 Black victims).

This projection justifies atrocities: "Trans terror" excuses anti-trans violence (32% rise in 2024). Far-right militias, per CSIS, outpace left in deadliness 4:1. The Conversation's 2025 analysis: Right-wing violence targets government 35% of the time, up from 2024—yet myths flip the script.

Harm? Trans suicide rates 40% with rejection; left-wing smears fuel polarization. As PBS notes, it magnifies fear, eroding norms against violence.

Clearing the Broth: Truth as the Antidote

The transgender/left violence myth is a far-right fever dream—debunked by data, deployed to hoard guns and hurl stones. Counter with facts: Trans folks die from violence, don't cause it; right-wing terror leads in blood. Demand reform: Universal checks, red flags—lives over lies.

At NoodlesOfAsia.com, host "myth noodle nights": Share stats over bowls, sticker #NoodlesForJustice on gun sense petitions. America's pot needs equity, not enmity.

Spot the myth, spike it with science—what's your counter? Share below.