Is CNN Report on "Legal Guns that Go Bad" Misleading?
CNN is currently running a series of reports called "The Gun Trail," about the business of guns in the United States. The latest story that aired Tuesday on "American Morning" dealt with what it called the "iron pipeline," about how guns supposedly purchased legally end up in the hands of criminals. But a conservative media watchdog group has major problems with the report.
The report deals mostly with what are known as "straw purchases." That is when someone legally buys a gun, but is really buying it for someone who cannot legally purchase one. CNN says this is the first step of the so called "iron pipeline," that ends when this now illegal gun is smuggled up the I-95 corridor from the southeast, where it is relatively easy to buy a gun, to the northeast, where it is much harder.
But NewsBusters, which describes itself as "the leader in documenting, exposing and neutralizing liberal media bias" says the entire report is seriously flawed. That's because these "straw purchases" are themselves illegal. So the supposed "legal gun that goes bad" was never legal at all. And CNN, NewsBusters says, never revealed this fact.
NewsBusters writes:
During his report, (correspondent Ed) Lavandara zeroed in on straw purchases at gun stores, such as "The Gun Shop" in Savannah, Georgia, managed by Kayton Smith and Ricky Duffy. The correspondent spent a day with Smith and Duffy, and noted that "customers fill out a form declaring they're buying the gun, not someone else. Then Kayton Smith calls for an instant background check. The buyer is either approved, delayed, or denied. That puts Smith and Duffy's gun shop on the front lines in the battle against straw purchasers, people who pretend to buy guns for themselves then pass them on to someone who can't lawfully own a firearm."
The CNN correspondent never disclosed during the segment that such straw purchases are felony offenses under the Gun Control Act of 1968. Thus, the graphic on-screen during Lavandera's report, "How Legal Guns Go Bad: States with weaker gun laws attract traffickers," gave a misleading impression, as these "iron pipeline" guns are not legally purchased in the first place.
CNN has not commented on NewsBusters' accusations, but one can safely assume, as news networks often do, that CNN stands by its report.
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THE ORIGINAL STORY Published: August 24, 2009 / Richmond Times Dispatch Long time Anti-Gun Advocate State Senator R.C. Soles, 74, shot one of two intruders at his home just outside Tabor City, N.C. about 5 p.m. Sunday, the prosecutor for the politician’s home county said. The victim, Kyle Blackburn, was taken to a South Carolina hospital, but the injuries were not reported to be life-threatening, according to Rex Gore, district attorney for Columbus, Bladen and Brunswick counties.. The State Bureau of Investigation and Columbus County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the shooting , Gore said. Soles, who was not arrested , declined to discuss the incident
Sunday evening. “I am not in a position to talk to you,” Soles said by telephone. “I’m right in the middle of an investigation .” The Senator, who has made a career of being against gun ownership for the general public, didn’t hesitate to defend himself with his own gun when he believed he was in immediate danger and he was the victim. In typical hypocritical liberal fashion, the “Do As I Say And Not As I Do” Anti-Gun Activist
Lawmaker picked up his gun and took action in what apparently was a self-defense shooting. Why hypocritical, you may ask? It is because his long legislative record shows that the actions that he took to protect his family , his own response to a dangerous life-threatening situation, are actions that he feels ordinary citizens should not have if they were faced with an identical situation. It has prompted some to ask if the Senator believes his life and personal safety is more valuable than yours or mine. But this is to be expected from those who believe they can run our lives, raise our kids , and protect our families better than we can.
It ain't the "anti-gun" mob. They are incapable of noticing what's going on, they are therefore incapable of understanding or proscribing. Yet they will try to dictate to the law abiding who are not the problem.
It still amazes me that the "antis" have a solution for what is not a problem. They don't have a clue about what the problem really is.
The illegal straw purchases discussed are only those between a LICENSED FEDERAL FIREARMS DEALER and a purchaser.
They do not refer to PRIVATE SALES of firearms between private parties, like neighbors, co- workers , family members, aquaintences, or even total strangers.
When you hear about so-called "gun-show loopholes", those are referring to such private sales that just happen to take place at a gun show, rather than in your living room or kitchen.
Be wary of these kinds of reports... Passing "gun-show loophole" laws , while on the surface might sound like a good idea, would severely restrict freedoms afforded US citizens.
Thank you Shooter. You have excellent information. When I sold my weapon to a gun store, I notified my police department. This is the first time in my life I sold one and knew better than to let other private hands take it over. In fact, when I had my right arm and hand operated on in 2006, I lived alone. I took my weapon to my new town police department and asked the detective to keep it for a couple of months. Later, they told me no one has ever done this before in their community. It must be the way I was raised, trained, educated, and where I put my "common sense."
Post surgery medications and severe pain do not mix with guns .
This seems simple to me. Within a few months, I called and went to pick it up. All was in tact, I felt great, they were very nice!
...you sold a gun to a licensed gun store and still called the police ? I wonder if you would do this when selling a car. You never know, those “private hands” could grab a bottle of whiskey and drive while drunk.
I had my right hand operated on last September. Instead of surrendering my means of self defense , I went to the range and learned how to shoot left-handed. The last thing I would EVER do is surrender my weapon to a stranger. But then again, that’s how I was raised, trained, educated, and put my common sense.
You are correct about pain meds and guns . But that also applies to EVERYTHING dangerous. Did you get behind the wheel to surrender your weapon? For the couple months that you couldn’t trust yourself with a gun, did you surrender your car to the nice detective?
Henry,
Glad I hit a nerve or two with you! I have the most information and totally do not regret my decisions. I did not give you or the entire internet all my information or safety plans. And yes, I did surrender my car keys to a trusted friend for two months. That one really got to you didn't it?
There are a lot more weapons than a gun a person can use to defend themselves. It was the people coming into my place to help with chores whom I did not trust. You assumed it was myself. Not true. I am my own best friend. As I sit here and type on this blog, without moving anything, I have at least a dozen weapons within my reach. Understand Henry ? Why would anyone only have one means of self defense in their home or around their person? There is always martial arts and pure survival which is available. Just because I own a gun, doesn't mean it is the only way I can think of to stay safe and alive.
A gun can be taken out of the hands of another stronger person regardless of gender. When it comes down to the wire, I have to decide if it is me or the other person I want to come out alive. My choice is always me and it doesn't matter how they drop to the ground. Not attempting to hurt me is their "wisest" choice.
I simply feel the need to point out silliness when I see it.
This post completely contradicts your previous post.
Contradiction #1: You gave your car keys to a trusted friend, but your gun to a complete stranger.
#2 Your first post specifically mentioned post-op pain and meds, now you’re saying you don’t trust the maid.
#3 Now you tell me that you have a dozen weapons within reach including martial arts. How pray tell did you plan to employ hand -to-hand combat when you have a disabled right hand, can’t drive, or clean your own house ?
One last thing…a gun can only be taken out of someone’s hand if:
1) The person wielding the gun allowed her attacker to close the distance without firing.
2) Or the person wielding the gun fires and misses the attacker.
Both of these can be corrected with proper training. Your statement tells me you haven’t been trained.
I’m very pleased to see that you value your life enough to take out an attacker. I’m disappointed that you believe that martial arts are as effective as good revolver.
Dear Henry, You get yourself all jazzed up over your "solo" line of thinking. I will not give you any further explanations because I am not impressed as to what you will do with the information.
Yes, I gave my gun to a complete stranger, a Detective in the presence of other law enforcement professional witnesses too!
It is clearly obvious to me that you either do not have daughters and your name truly is " Henry." I am trying to remember what year the name " Henry " was popular. This explains a lot about your perspective.
I am alive, met life's challenges, plan on staying this way, and I must be doing something right because I am still here and happy. Thank you for sharing " Henry." I am still planning to live my life exactly along the ways I have been....without your judgment.