Kevin over at the Smallest Minority has been following CNN's latest foray in to firearm reportage. The result isn't pretty, and by that we don't mean biased, we mean illegal.
SayUncle is able to offer confirmation that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are aware of the incident. The Posse offers its congratulations on a breaking news exclusive - something we are unlikely to achieve.
What can we draw from this incident? Only further evidence that the mainstream media does not understand firearms - either how they work, or how they can be legally purchased.
Like many who support gun control, they actually have no idea how much regulation already exists and how easy it is to run afoul of it.
It is difficult for non gun owners to understand how much thought must be spent on staying within the bounds of the law regarding firearms.
Perhaps the best way to illustrate it is to assume some other useful object - say a credit card or cell phone - was subjected to similar restrictions.
Imagine needing a background check to buy a cellphone. Taking it in to have it registered. In certain areas, they would be banned altogether, or only the fortunate few with permits could even obtain them.
Indeed, when one studies firearms, one of the first revelations is not that they are misused, but that it happens so seldomly.
Gun owners are amazingly conscientious given the burdens they operate under.
Far from being ignorant hayseeds, they usually have a greater understanding of law and range safety than the college-educated professionals that hold them in such contempt.
CNN's reporters made a classic error stemming from ignorance. They assumed it was easy to do something without bothering to thoroughly research it.
Now they may have committed a felony - one that should be fully prosecuted.
If they had any sense of honesty, CNN would shortly run a new story: "Buying a gun - not as easy as we thought."
Not only has CNN committed a felony - there may be a conspiracy - it appears ATF is trying to give them a pass.
There should not be one set of laws for employees of CNN, and another for the rest of us. Either the law needs to be changed, or the ATF needs to nail CNN to the wall.
To that end I think we all need to write to the President, our Senators and Representatives.
http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials/
That URL will get you to a facility that makes it easy to email - or snail mail - all of your elected reps, including the President.
This is going to be a political case, so let's get out in front of it, and make sure the politicos know where we stand.
Posted by: Zendo Deb | February 23, 2005 at 12:50 PM