The Senator Dianne Feinstein “Death Machines” gun quote – Fact Check

A quote is circulating social media attributed to US Senator from California Dianne Feinstein that claims women are not capable of using guns, instead referring to guns as “death machines”.

The quote can be read below –

Women are not capable of defending themselves with “death machines” we call guns. Women were designed to produce life, not take it away.

This quote has been kicking out the Internet since at least 2013, occasionally surging in popularity during the days that follow the latest US mass shooting when gun control once again inevitably tops national discourse.

However, despite being plugged by many conspiracy-themed websites such as InfoWars, there are no records or reputable sources that Feinstein made such a comment that would naturally be deemed by many as both ill-advised and sexist.

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Given that Feinstein is very much a veteran of US politics, it seems unlikely that she would make such a controversial comment that would inevitably hinder her position on increased gun control, not advance it. Yes, Feinstein is a vocal proponent increased gun control, such as banning military style rifles, and it is likely this position that has resulted in her being falsely attributed to such nonsensical quotes such as this.

In 2013 she was also linked to another fake quote related to guns –

When the gunman realizes that nobody else is armed, he will lay down his weapons and turn himself in, that’s human nature

That quote comes courtesy of now defunct-satirical website The Palookaville Post, but had separated from the satirical article and subsequently taken at face value by many.

Dianne Feinstein didn’t make any of the above quotes.