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

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Myth #1: Life is getting worse.

He interviewed kids who said they were scared of getting kidnapped. He said kidnappings are down. They were afraid of getting diseases. He went through illnesses that we'd overcome (1918 flu outbreak). He asked if they'd ever heard of diptheria. Nope. Finally, he took a dive in the East River to prove that it was cleaner than even 15 years ago.

[TalBlack]

"Finding things that don't appear in the Constitution as being constitutionally protected, and finding parts of laws that are expressly forbidden in the Constitution to be constitutional, are deeply troubling to me."... as it should be. Years ago, I met a woman who tried to tell me about the assault on the Constitution.. at the time I thought her a bit wacky. Now I realize she was right."


I agree. A bit off topic but: Yeaterday, while listening to Gambling on WABC in NY, the topic being the breakdiwn of the SocSec system, I realized (as the host failed to) that SERIOUS breakdown between the governers and the governed may come about as a DIRECT result of the first, or at least one of the first, dismissals of the constitutions authority by the gov't ie; the taking of money NOT YET in the hands of the taxpayer. Only "cranks" (perhaps like your lady friend)knew of this or cared.

But the Founders understood the insidious nature of such a practice and crafted the Constitution accordingly.

Of course in the early 20th century the courts decided..."well who cares...it dosen't matter...bacause...well...just bacause!

Now as the massive social security obligations to the "baby boomers" come due AND THE PEOPLE PAYING THE BILLS (the workers) BEGIN TO LOOK FOR A WAY OUT OF THE TRAP you can bet that the "cranks" will remind them of THE RANK ILLEGALITY of the pay roll tax. The workers will then insist that they be paid their money BEFORE any deductions so that they may REFUSE to pay into the Ponzie scheme we have known as social security. The gov't in the very near future has obligations it cannot meet without either coming up with a new plan or massivly raising payments into the system. (which of those is gov't better at?)

Oh what a tangled web we weave. And the ones who wove this particular web are long in their graves.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Elitist. No surprise here.

[ampat]

An armed society is a polite society.

[chiller]

Fantastic program, as usual per Stossel. He even banged the Republicans for their spending.

I loved the "poverty stricken" gentleman who lived in an apartment with all the amenities, tv, car (iirc),etc....

and the lady US bureaucrat who has decided that DDT can't be used in developing countries where malaria is killing millions, because of long ago perceptions that DDT is unsafe.

[johnny7]

"But I don't see a requirement for ordinary citizens to carry concealed weapons."

What this idiot thinks is unimportant but this is the thinking of most police chiefs as well.

In many states, the local police chief decides who gets to have a firearm and who doesn't.

THEY DON'T WANT ANYBODY HAVING OR CARRYING A GUN!

[jaz.357]

"ABC is to be commended..."

WHEN PIGS FLY!

[gnarledmaw]

(With no disrespect intended to our departed ChiefN)

"Now as the massive social security obligations to the "baby boomers" come due AND THE PEOPLE PAYING THE BILLS (the workers) BEGIN TO LOOK FOR A WAY OUT OF THE TRAP you can bet that the "cranks" will remind them of THE RANK ILLEGALITY of the pay roll tax.

This is the window through which I have always viewed the NRST boomers.

[itsinthebag]

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."

Does anyone have the list of 36 states that have concealed carry laws?

[tracer]

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

Perhaps Stossel himself packs heat to keep such from happening to him..... 8~)

[Redcoat LI]

"I don't feel right about concealed weapons,"
When you start to use the word feel instead of think,you know you are a RAT.
Howard Dean and company should stop questioning whether he is a real "democRAT",deciding issues on feelings rather than thought is rule number one with those people

[onyx]

John Stossel is one of us. He's a FReeper.

[Zipporah]

You are exactly correct. If the Constitution is not our 'measuring rod' what then is left?

[RedWhiteBlue]

[stevio]

Very cool bump.

[7.62 x 51mm]

Here's a handy form to thank John for telling the truth:

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/2020/Stossel_BookQA_emailform_040120.html

[beaversmom]

Wish I could have seen the Stossel program. Stossel bump.

[reg45]

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

ABC won't fire him because they know he would have a competing show on Fox the next day.

[Rebel_Ace]

Way to go, Stu!

[RightOnline]

"He simply is an extreme rarity: an honest, brilliant, fiercely independent mainstream investigative reporter. THAT'S what the liberal news editors hate about him."

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

I've seen Stossel throw out some real trash in these segments, as well. Anyone remember the hatchet job he did on alternative tax proposals; i.e. flat tax, NRST, etc.? Pathetic.

I also find it supremely sad when we are forced to heap praise upon a mainstream network reporter who actually told the truth. That's all he did.........and it's like the Second Coming. Consider this a statement on the nature of today's "news" networks rather than a criticism of FR, folks.