Left Leaning Care 2 Offs Biased Reporting as “News”
The headline sums up where this story is going: On The First Anniversary of the Giffords Assassination Attempt, Things Are Still In Limbo.
This from Care2.com ,which begs the question… what is in limbo? Apparently because guns are still legal the issue is in limbo. But this article then throws in bias as news. It does begin as news, as is noted with this introduction:
It’s been exactly one year since the country was stunned by the violent shooting rampage that nearly killed Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, and did kill and wound numerous staff, supporters and even a little girl.
That is news and it sums up the situation well, but consider this misinformation at the end of the article:
And others are even using the anniversary to promote weapons. According to Think Progress, the Crossroads of the West gun show has decided to use today as the day to throw their Tuscon exhibit and sale. But at least they don’t appear to be raffling away the same type of gun that nearly killed her, like the Arizona GOP did last fall.
The gun show wasn’t scheduled for any particular reason! But this article would you have believe that was in fact the motive of the Crossroads of the West Gun Show organizers! Shameful that this is bias passes as news.
Think Progress Writers Should Think Before They Write
Last week Think Progress offered a story titled, “Tucson Gun Show Held On Anniversary of Giffords Shooting,” and offered this passage:
So it is more than a little puzzling why the Crossroads of the West gun show picked the anniversary of this horrific mass killing to hold one of their shows in the very same town where the Tucson massacre occurred.
Are we really getting to the point where days become “taboo?” The truth is that this was a tragedy that shouldn’t be forgotten, but the organizers of the gun show likely didn’t look to hold it on the same day. Tragic things happen every day.
Should we not allow Japanese tourists to visit America on December 7? Should no one fly on September 11? Our questions are outrageous, but so is suggesting that the gun shows picked the same “town,” especially as the Crossroads of the West gun show has regularly been a staple in Tucson! As for the date, the gun show has also been typically held in early January!
But clearly this is a case where anti-gun reporters look for any excuse to take aim at gun shows.
Media Matters Aims at NRA Again
First, we’d like to ask why is the NRA always the target of Media Matters for America, which claims to look at conservative bias in the media. Isn’t the NRA technically non-partisan? Or is it just that the liberals at Media Matters hate guns so much they try to target the group relentlessly?
This week, in a post titled “NRA Complains As NY AG Enforces the Laws Already on The Books,” Media Matters offers this thought:
“Enforce the laws on the books already before passing more” is the plea of the National Rifle Association (NRA) when proposals are made to strengthen guns laws. In April NRA executive vice-president Wayne LaPierre told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “We support all kinds of behavioral requirements, restrictions … there are dozens of laws on the books that we support. The problem is they’re not being enforced.”
So what happens when a state starts enforcing gun laws at gun shows? Long-winded jeremiads complaining of “entrapment” by the “anti-gun cabal.” Maybe it’s time to change the slogan to “enforce the laws on the books, but make sure it’s not a law we don’t like you jack-booted thugs.”
On Wednesday New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the arrest of ten people for selling guns at a gun show without performing a background check on the buyers as is required by state law.
What isn’t noted is that this is just another attempt to close the infamous so-called “gun show loophole” and bar all private sales. So while it is possible that those 10 individuals may have broken the law, the NRA has argued – as we agree – that there is no loophole. Private sales are allowed at gun shows and should remain so.
But that is a fact that doesn’t matter to Media Matters as it is never mentioned.
Who Guards the Guards: Retired cop admits to illegal gun sales
Seattle PI is reporting that Roy Alloway, a 56-year-old retired police officer, has pleaded guilty to selling illegal firearms. This is an interesting story on two levels, and FirearmsTruth is conflicted on this issue.
The story notes:
“Alloway pleaded guilty to illegally operating as a gun dealer and income tax fraud.”
This is a disturbing fact especially as Alloway is a retired police officer. But there is a twist to this story. It seems that Alloway and three others weren’t exactly funneling guns to cartels or even necessarily selling guns to criminals. They were conducting their business at gun shows.
Seattle PI adds:
“In a statement filed with the U.S. District Court, the special agent said the investigation was launched after agents came to believe several gun dealers were operating without federal firearms dealer’s licenses — required for anyone ‘engaging in the business’ of firearms dealing — and selling large quantities of guns as ‘private sellers.’”
What is a major concern to this point is what constitutes “large quantities of guns” when “private sales” are conducted? Will gun collectors, who buy and sell, upgrade pieces in their collection face similar charges? What about the gun collector who is facing hard times and needs to raise some cash? If it is a money-making business than one could be considered a “gun dealer.”
The point in the end is that Alloway likely knew he was doing something wrong, especially as he attempted to conceal how much money he was making. But this could open a Pandora’s Box for those looking to make a few dollars while mostly collecting firearms. It gives occasional sellers something to ponder.
Huff and Puff Notes Mayors Against Illegal Guns Uses Misleading Terrorist Message
Scare tactics. That is what Mayors Against Illegal Guns is doing with a new ad campaign reports the Huffington Post. Instead of presenting actual facts or real information, the group has released a new TV sport that quotes American preppy turned wannabe terrorists Adam Gadahn, who is reportedly the spokesman for al Qaeda. In his rant filled message he urges American Muslims to buy guns in America.
Among the statements that Gadahn makes:
“This is a golden opportunity. America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms. You can go down to a gun show … and come away with a fully automatic assault rifle without a background check. … So what are you waiting for?”
The problem with using this statement is that you can’t buy fully automatic assault rifles without a background check at a gun show or anywhere else legally. Fully automatic guns are tightly controlled, and simply are not available at gun shows.
The ad counters:
“Call your member of Congress. Tell them to close the loopholes that let terrorists and criminals buy guns.”
Huff and Puff notes:
“The spot does clarify — in small text at the end — Gadahn’s misleading assessment of the accessibility of firearms at gun shows. In fact, purchasers cannot obtain fully automatic assault rifles at those venues. Consumers can purchase semi-automatics.
“The broader point for the coalition, however, remains the same: A loophole exists in current gun laws. Private sellers are not required to perform the same background checks at gun shows that federal licensed dealers must. By some estimations, private sales make up 40 percent of total gun show sales.”
What Huff and Puff doesn’t say is where they come up with that 40 percent number… a number actually offered by Mayors Against Illegal Guns. So this is the group that uses the words of a terrorists to scare Americans, and Huff and Puff backs up it up with misleading statistics.
Why you trust any of this information?
Firing Back: Our Response to Lautenberg Letter
Last week Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) wrote to President Obama calling for more gun control. We offered a full transcript of the letter, and took time to debunk it. Here is our response to his letter (our response in bold):
I am writing to express my concern with the Administration’s silence on critical gun issues and to seek some leadership to better protect the American people. The issues transcend partisanship and could attract bipartisan support. Read more
John Synder Addresses Fast and Furious Hearings
Our friend John Synder offered some thoughts on the ATF hearings, and noted that essentially the Justice Department through its ATF aiding has aided and abetting in felonies by allowing guns to “walk” in its Fast and Furious operation, also known as Project Gunrunner or Project Gunwalker.
Synder adds that what is worse is that gun control groups don’t want to hear this part of the story. He writes:
“Congressional gun grabbers and their supporters are seeking to block the effect of the hearings. They are attempting to blame what they say are weak gun laws for criminal behavior. They’re reiterating their demands for more gun control. They’re seeking to curtail the operation of American gun shows, for instance. They’re even citing false claims by Islamist terrorists. Some terrorists state falsely that they can buy fully automatic firearms at these shows. The gun grabbers cite these false claims as a reason for more gun control.
“Anyone at all familiar with American gun laws knows that no one can buy a fully automatic firearm legally anywhere in the United States without official federal registration. Let alone at a gun show.”
Now if only the mainstream media could pick up on these points, but that is probably hoping for too much.
Biased Blog Should Rethink its Name As it Gets Facts on Gun Show Wrong
This week the website Lez Get Real, a Gay Girl’s View on the World, should rethink its name or “Get Real.” The site offered a blog post titled, “The Gun Show Loophole’s Newest Fans – Al Qaida.”
The post responded to the Al Qaeda’s calls for American-Muslims to take up arms and commit acts of terror. The author believes that the “gun show loophole” would actually allow terrorists to buy guns, and writes:
“As far back as October of 2009, in a story in USA Today, the alarms have been going off about the gun show loophole – the way gun show sellers are not required to do background checks or are too lazy to be bothered even if the computer terminals for instant checks are available. Many don’t even bother to check identifications at all, or limit the amount of guns sold. Why should they? It’s not their responsibility to limit anyone’s second amendment rights.”
How many gun shows have these computer terminals? In fact, the answer is very few. Most of the National Instant Criminal Background System checks are conducted by the phone! The author also fails to note that licensed dealers, even at gun shows, are required to do the background checks. Those who are not licensed dealers, and thus are making “private sales” are not required. That is a big difference. Read more
Gun Show Loophole Debated in Delaware
This week Delaware Online noted that “a rhetorical gunfight broke out” over the so-called “gun show loophole.” The state’s governor, Jack Markell, is being accused by the NRA of looking to ban all private sales.
Gun control types say this is the right move, and that all private sales should be banned unless a background check is conducted. According to the article:
“Senate Bill 39 would require background checks to be conducted for all sales at gun shows. Licensed firearms dealers would have to request the checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System on behalf of unlicensed vendors making sales. Sales between private citizens not taking place at gun shows would not be affected.” Read more
Gun Show Organizers Live To Fight Another Day
This week The San Francisco Chronicle, via the SFGate website, posted an article titled “Alameda County gun show backers suffer setback,” but we think it would have been as fair to note that they live another day.
The article notes:
“A federal appeals court panel ruled Monday that gun show promoters have failed to show that a ban on firearms at the Alameda County Fairgrounds violates their right to keep and bear arms.
“Rather than dismissing the promoters’ 12-year-old lawsuit, however, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco gave the plaintiffs another chance to produce evidence that the ban unreasonably restricts law-abiding citizens’ ability to obtain guns for self-defense.”
It will be interesting to see how this plays out, and we wish the organizers the best of luck in their case.
