Posted on 01/24/2004 4:58:05 AM PST by 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
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