John Stossel / ABC News Explode Gun Control Myth

MCRGO (Internet) ^ | 1/24/04 | Stu Chisholm

[Glockslinger]

Last night's ABC News magazine program, "20/20," had a pleasant surprise for the pro-gun community in a segment called "Lies, Myths and Downright Stupidity."

John Stossel, known for his segments called "Give Me A Break," who now also has a book by the same name, exposed many of the commonly held beliefs that we usually just accept, but have no true basis in fact.

One in particular, labeled "Myth #3: Guns Are Bad," pointed out many things that second amendment advocates have known for years; that guns are used much more often for defensive uses than in crime. Citing data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), he also exposed data showing that popular methods of gun control, such as the Brady Bill, have had little if any effect on crime.

Interviewing a group of prison inmates, Stossel reports, "Some maximum security felons I spoke to in New Jersey scoffed at measures like the Brady law. They said they'll have no trouble getting guns if they want them. A Justice Department study confirmed what the prisoners said. But get this: the felons say that the thing they fear the most is not the police, not time in prison, but, you, another American who might be armed."

Stossel goes on to say to say that many states have passed what he refers to as "gun un-control" in the form of concealed carry laws, which have been shown to be an effective deterrent to violent crime. Some women say they're comforted by the new law, according to the report.

The segment concludes by saying, "Many people are horrified at the idea of concealed carry laws, and predict mayhem if all states adopt these laws. But surprise, 36 states already have concealed carry laws, and not one reported an upsurge in gun crime."

What is amazing about this exemplary, straight forward report is that is appeared on a prime-time ABC news program, a network that has a reputation for being very un-friendly to the NRA and the pro-gun community at large. Whether or not ABC has reconsidered it's official policy, or if it is simply John Stossel's own research and opinion remains to be seen. In any case, ABC is to be commended for it's airing of the truth behind an often controversial, yet vital issue.

See the whole program at: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/2020/myths_john_stossel_040123-1.html

~Stu Chisholm

[Glockslinger]

Be sure to write John Stossel and thank him for bringing the truth to primetime network television for a change!

[Mr. Mojo]

Bang!

[SkyPilot]

I heard ABC management and the others on that show really dislike his commentary--but they have to acknowledge that his segments bring in some of the most postive e-mails, letters, and faxes to the show.

Translation: they hate his politics but he is good for ratings.

[arrow107]

Stossels has been doing a great job with no backing from his employer for years now - great job! BUMP!

[Mr. Mojo]

I spoke to in New Jersey scoffed at measures like the Brady law. They said they'll have no trouble getting guns if they want them.

The Brady law is just something to make liberals feel good about themselves. That it has either no effect or a negative effect on crime is completely meaningless to them. .....Feeling good is all that matters.

[GailA]

Clark wary of concealed guns

11:21 PM 1/19/04
Scott Milfred State government reporter

Though he owns a lot of guns, loves to hunt and spent 38 years in the military, Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark is generally opposed to letting citizens carry concealed handguns.

"I don't feel right about concealed weapons," Clark told the Wisconsin State Journal during a brief telephone call from New Hampshire on Friday, where he was campaigning for that state's Jan. 27 primary.

"It's OK if you're a detective on the police force," Clark continued. "But I don't see a requirement for ordinary citizens to carry concealed weapons."

This article contains the positions on several of the RAT canidates on CCW. Print it out and share it with your local shooting range and fellow gun owners!

[Mr. Mojo]

Interesting. ....I've never written him before, but I will now.

[Ed_in_NJ]

"In a desperate struggle to survive, ABC is beginning to tell the truth in selected subject areas!"

[Aeronaut]

Minnesota enacted CCW about a year ago, amidst dire predictions of gunfights in the streets and at the ballgames, etc. To my knowledge the only incident to date is a (permit holding) guy shooting his brother's car because he didn't want him driving drunk. It was on private property where he was not required to have a permit. The guy had the permit prior to the enactment, too.

[cajungirl]

I am amazed that ABC hasn't tied him up and hidden him in a basement. Truely amazed.

[FormerACLUmember]

I heard ABC management and the others on that show really dislike his commentary--but they have to acknowledge that his segments bring in some of the most postive e-mails, letters, and faxes to the show. Translation: they hate his politics but he is good for ratings.

I don't think John Stoessel has any politics. He simply is an extreme rarity: an honest, brilliant, fiercely independent mainstream investigative reporter. THAT'S what the liberal news editors hate about him.

[Pharmboy]

Translation: they hate his politics but he is good for ratings.

I'll take it!

[aomagrat]

The gun banners are not concerned about reducing crime. Their agenda is to disarm America so that they can take over.

[Ichneumon]

Whether or not ABC has reconsidered it's official policy, or if it is simply John Stossel's own research and opinion remains to be seen.

It's Stossel. He's got an excellent track record of looking at hot issues "fresh" and reporting on them with an uncommon amount of common sense and fairness.

[TheGeezer]

Passed during the Reagan adminsitration. Ironic, ain't it?

[secret garden]

I caught the end of it and missed his other lies and myths. It was refreshing to hear the truth, for a change, during that time slot.

[KarlInOhio]

Passed during the Reagan adminsitration. Ironic, ain't it?

No, it was passed in late 1993 under the misrule of XXX-42.

[DoughtyOne]

Nice report...

[Zipporah]

In light of the Supreme Court's refusal to hear the California case, the 2nd amendment is in deep trouble.

[FReepaholic]

>>...Passed during the Reagan adminsitration...<<

Klinton signed the law with Jim Brady sitting next to him.