In the wake of the shocking violence at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, a fierce new debate erupted on The Five — and this time, it wasn’t just about gun control. It was about what critics say is a glaring double standard.

Fox News host Lawrence Jones didn’t mince words Tuesday night as he weighed in on the tragic shooting that left a community rattled. Police identified the suspect as Robert Dorgan, who also went by the name Roberta Esposito, according to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves.

But instead of following the usual script — more sweeping gun bans, more political finger-pointing — Jones zeroed in on what he described as a politically protected blind spot.

“It is so interesting to me for a movement that is always quick to talk about gun restrictions that they have not been able to address this issue with more clarity,” he said, calling out Democrats for what he framed as selective outrage.

Jones drew a firm distinction between lifestyle choices and diagnosed psychological conditions. In his view, the latter deserves serious scrutiny — especially when firearms are involved.

(Video Credit: Fox News)

“If you are someone that just wants to wear a dress, no problems. If you are someone that just wants to identify as another sex, but you know deep down that you’re not, but you just want to be called ‘he’ or ‘she’ that’s one thing,” Jones explained.

Then he turned blunt.

“But if you, from a psychological standpoint, think that you are another sex, you should not have a gun. Something that has been diagnosed as gender dysphoria is a problem. And all of us know it. We all have to fill out the federal gun form that talks about mental– you should have to check that box. And it is because the politics surrounding the issue of not wanting to be offensive, we’re not doing the right thing on this. And I’m a purist when it comes to people– I mean, I’m from Texas. We have constitutional carry. Everybody has a gun there. But these– the people that– again, I’m not talking about people that say they want to be transgender, dress a certain way, identify as a certain way, but if you mentally think you’re someone that you are not, that has to be addressed.”

The Texas native emphasized he’s no enemy of the Second Amendment — quite the opposite. Coming from a state known for constitutional carry, he made clear he supports broad gun rights. But, he argued, serious mental health diagnoses should not be off-limits in the gun debate simply because they intersect with progressive politics.

At a moment when Washington is quick to rush toward sweeping restrictions that affect millions of law-abiding Americans, Jones’ comments signal a different approach: protect constitutional freedoms, but don’t ignore legitimate mental health concerns — no matter how politically uncomfortable they may be.