Why every journalism school should include a day at the local gun range
Murdoch calls for automatic weapons ban politico.com/blogs/media/20… via @politico
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) December 15, 2012
*sigh*
Automatic weapons are already effectively banned in this country.
The National Firearms Act of 1934, the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Hughes Amendment in 1986 have all placed limits on how automatic guns can be bought and sold, but did not make it illegal to possess them entirely.
Purchasing one requires submitting fingerprints and photographs to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, going through an FBI criminal background check, and paying a $200 tax, among other requirements. Only automatic weapons manufactured and registered with the federal government before 1986 can be bought, owned and sold.
Let me propose a gun control law:
Until a journalist, opinion or otherwise, knows the difference between automatic and semiautomatic, they should not be allowed to comment on gun violence. Every journalism school in the country should require a trip to the local gun range for students to learn about the different guns and actually fire them.
James, you’re arguing about tree species while the forest burns all around you. This country’s gun fetish is sick, sick, sick. You feel forced to arm yourself with deadly force, yet somehow that makes us “free” in this country rather than imprisoned by fear. Give me that nice, peaceful European socialism any day.
johnpoliticalwi Reply:
December 15th, 2012 at 10:26 am
Ah yes, Mr. Widgerson appears to be playing the classic “bait and switch” by focusing on the fact that we have nothing to worry about because automatic weapons are effectively banned instead of the current allowance of semiautomatic weapons that are just as deadly and easily concealed and easily obtained without background checks at gun shows and from private transactions.
James Wigderson Reply:
December 15th, 2012 at 11:43 am
Actually, I do no such thing. http://www.wigderson.com/connecticut-gun-laws-and-murder/ By the way, Connecticut closed “the gun show loophole.” You’ll have to find another talking point.
johnpoliticalwi Reply:
December 16th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Ah yes, there’s the 2nd amendment but what about the people needlessly killed, Or does “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” less important.
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