There’s a much simpler motivation at play here. “Feminists did it” is a fantasy scenario clearly intended to explain this type of violence without having to actually acknowledge or even debate Americans’ incredibly easy access to guns. But look at the deep truth in Carlson’s vision: Women with authority are increasingly unafraid to use their power. And yes, that can disrupt the lives of men. It can also help men and improve their lives. A more equitable society is not inherently bad for the male species. Just ask men enjoying the benefits of robust parental leave, to take just one very easy example.

History and a whole library of research show that civil rights gains for women end up making seismic changes in society. Women getting the vote has been connected to the growth of government social programs and a rise in women’s wages. Suffrage leaders went on to agitate for access to birth control. And that was a revolution so profound that its effects are still being studied. Certainly, women’s progress has led to discomfort for a subset of men: They now compete with women for jobs, women are choosier about whom they marry (if they marry at all), more women than men get college degrees. You have to watch what kind of jokes you make, and it’s not cool to catcall. Sometimes, there are consequences for sexual misconduct.

But ultimately, women having control over their own bodies does shift the power paradigm. And that’s what scares Tucker Carlson — and people like him.