St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones (D) is in damage control mode after an open records request revealed private text messages in which Jones noted the ineffectiveness of gun control in cities such as Chicago.

The text messages appear to counter a pro-gun control stance Jones has publicly maintained after high profile firearm-related crimes in her city.

KSDK reported that one of the text messages was drawn from “a chat” with her father on March 21, 2023. Jones’s message noted, “Chicago has strict gun laws as well but that doesn’t deter gun violence.”