First of all, this article is so full of BLATENT LIES that it makes me sick. While true that the Consumer Product Safety Board does not deal with firearms, there is a reason for this. The BATF regulates ALL firearms designs sold in the US. Unlike the CPSB, the criteria that the BATF uses is mandatory and must be met BEFORE the firearm design is approved for sale to consumers in the US.
Also, unlike the CPSB, the ATF has legal binding authority to remove a firearms design from sale if it is found to be unsafe while the CPSB can only recommend a recall since they have no legal authority. Secondly, the idiots that wrote that article have no experience with firearms. They don't comprehend the problems that "Loaded chamber indicators" and "Internal trigger locks" cause. I'd like to know what "inherent defects" the author is refering too also. I also question the comment about "Additionally, most handguns lack safety devices like trigger locks and load indicators that would reduce the number of accidental injuries and deaths caused by the unintentional firing of guns". Where did this person get such information? I've never seen any study that supports this statement.
"Currently there are no health and safety regulations for handguns. Ironically, teddy bears and toy guns are subject to federal consumer product safety standards and are subject to recall." This statement is utterly false. All consumer product recalls are voluntary. Firearms are subject to recall as well as mandatory recall by the BATF.
"Two-thirds of Twin City residents and nearly 80% of greater Minnesota residents mistakenly believe that guns are regulated by federal safety standards. It's our job to correct that myth," stated Thoman, referring to a survey recently conducted for Citizens for a Safer Minnesota.
"I think people assume that guns are regulated as consumer products because everything else they buy is regulated. " Again, this blatent out right lie. We must show the people the absolute truth on this...
I tried to find the "editorial replies" in an effort to refute this garbage but I was unable to find it.
Mike
Did you know there are EIGHT chances to give a present this Hannukah season? :o)
According to the 'Citizens for a Safer Minnow Soda', most handguns have a protruding tab, that when pressed can cause high velocity metal projectiles and hot, high pressure gases to escape from the pipe thingy on the front.
Where else but under the tree would you put a Christmas present for a daughter, son, or spouse? Be it a hunting rifle or shotgun, or a self defense weapon. Just don't leave it there after Christmas.
What they mean is that it actually fires a bullet. Anything that fires a projectile, or has a cutting edge, is ultimately to be regulated out of existence, don't y'know.
Well, at least unload the thing... :)
Below find the text of a live chat I had about the article in question. I'm no expert, but I wanted to see what their response was.... I'd encourage you to send your info to them, they may let you post an opposing "release."
Thank you for contacting PR Newswire, a representative will be with you momentarily.
You are now chatting with 'Kim'
Ralph: Hi Kim
Kim: Thank you for contacting PR Newswire. How may I assist you?
Ralph: Well, I just read an artical in PR Newswire
Ralph: which had a lot of inaccuracies in it
Kim: Is this your release?
Ralph: no
Ralph: How does one respond to a release?
Kim: We do verify information before it's sent out over the newswire.
Kim: You can look for contact info. on the releae? Or look up the company's homepage.
Ralph: OK
Kim: Their homepage will have contact info. on there for you.
Kim: Anything else I can help you with >
Ralph: It's an interest group
Ralph: so I doubt that they will admit their mistakes
Ralph: oh well.
Kim: What release is this?
Ralph: Attention Holiday Shoppers: 'Don't Put a Handgun Under the Christmas Tree This Year'
Kim: OH..
Ralph: Claims there's no federal safety regulation of guns
Ralph: and that's patently false.
Ralph: :)
Kim: I would definitely contact the company directly.
Ralph: ok
Kim: If it is an accident within their release they can have it corrected automatically.
Kim: Also, I am sure that when others receive this release, they'll see the mistakes as well Kim: and work to correct them.
Kim: I wouldn't put to much pressure on yourself to fix it. A mistake like that will be caught Kim: soon enough
Ralph: OK
Ralph: thanks
Kim: No problem
Kim: Have A Good NIght
Ralph: happy holidays
Kim: You too! Thanks!
Kim: Sorry, I couldnt be of more help
Thank you for contacting PR Newswire, your chat session has been ended.
Send your info to them--they may let you post it directly.
Liberal liars shouldn't be allowed to go unanswered in an ignorant press.
Doesn't the author know that?
Get two.
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Number of physicians in the US: 700,000 / Accidental deaths caused by physicians per year: 120,000 / Accidental deaths per physician: 0.171 (US Dept. Health and Human Services)
Number of gun owners in the US: 80,000,000 / Number of accidental gun deaths per year (all ages) 1,500 / Accidental deaths per gun owner: 0.0000188
Doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners. Not everyone has a gun, but most everyone has at least one doctor.
We must ban doctors before this gets out of hand. As a public health measure, I have withheld the statistics on lawyers, for fear that the shock could cause people to seek medical aid. However, you may want to encourage everyone to get a gun... just in case you see a doctor approaching.
I do agree, however, that a handgun is a better "stocking stuffer". A shotgun or rifle belongs under the tree.
Note to the bliss-ninnies: Guns don't go off by themselves. There is NO SUCH THING as an "unintentional" firing of a gun. For the weapon to discharge, the trigger needs to be pulled. That means that a person needs to have acted, and that means negligence. Let's get the terminology correct prior to going forward, shall we?
Guns have muzzles as well... ergo, guns are dangerous things that can easily and willfully attack their owners.
Its logic... see.
Note that dogs and guns share two of the same letters... a coincidence... I don't think so...(insert eerie music here)