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The Left Bullies the NRA

By Call it Crazy   Follow   Wed, 26 Dec 2012, 8:53am   2,197 views   62 comments
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http://townhall.com/columnists/benshapiro/2012/12/26/the-left-bullies-the-nra-n1473875/page/full/

On Christmas Eve, seven people were shot in the city of Chicago. The media made little mention of the shootings, since they're now routine in Chicago -- the city has seen some 500 shootings in 2012 alone. The vast majority of the shooters are black, and the vast majority of the victims are black. Many of the victims are under the age of 18: Anton Sanders, 15, shot on Jan. 20; Deshun Winfert, 15, shot on Feb. 5; Damion Rolle, 14, shot on Feb. 21; George Howard and Albert Guyton, both 15, shot on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28; the list goes on. A few are under age 10. You've never heard of any of them.

But when an evil white person with a history of mental instability shoots up a school, killing 20 children, most of whom were white, the media is suddenly concerned with gun control.

Perhaps that's because the media is racist. Or perhaps it's something else. If the media pays attention to the shootings in Chicago, it will have to talk about the fact that Chicago is heavily gun controlled. It will have to discuss the fact that guns are illegally flowing into areas of heavy gun violence. And it will have to talk about the impact of social ills like single motherhood, gang recruitment and poor public education.

Instead, the media focuses on Sandy Hook, Aurora and Columbine. Focusing on such statistically aberrant scenarios rather than the more widespread gun violence that plagues our cities allows the media to target one of its most hated groups: the National Rifle Association.

So what does that have to do with Chicago versus Sandy Hook? The media knows that in all shooting scenarios, the conversation quickly polarizes into two positions: ban guns or discuss other myriad social and legal issues that lead to shootings. In communities plagued by high levels of social ills like Chicago, the second position is the more obvious one. In cases of placid communities getting shot up by a nutcase, the left can talk gun bans more easily.

It's far harder to stop Sandy Hook than it is to stop violence in Chicago. But the left doesn't like the possible solutions in Chicago. They prefer to destroy their competition. So the shootings in Chicago will continue. So, in all likelihood, will incidents like Sandy Hook, thanks in large part to the left's focus on destroying its enemies rather than preventing acts of evil.

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1. thunderlips11 Follow Befriend (13) 61 threads 2,705 comments Premium

   23   2:51pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   Protected   BTW, we already have mandatory reporting for child and domestic abuse in the medical field. Parts of my idea are already law: http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4126152 We just have to extend it so Medical Professionals can report to the NICS, and notify police of the address so they can seize firearms from the residence, to be sold or stored offsite.

2. Call it Crazy Follow Befriend 249 threads 2,913 comments

   24   3:06pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (2)   Homeboy says Why is it you liars never mention that the murder rate has gone DOWN in Chicago since they started regulating guns? Chicago murders are "down" to around 500 this year. Is that a good number in your opinion? What were they before they regulated the guns?

3. Call it Crazy Follow Befriend 249 threads 2,913 comments

   25   3:11pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (2)   Homeboy says And then there's the problem that most gun murders AREN'T committed by mentally ill people. You're right, they're mostly committed due to drug and inter city violence with handguns (80% to 90% of all murders). Whether you consider these guys "mentally ill" is your choice. So, why ban semi-auto rifles that mentally ill people used for these handful of mass shootings? Seems the focus should be somewhere else....

4. Thedaytoday Follow Befriend 46 threads 530 comments

   26   3:15pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike (1)   Call it Crazy says So, why ban semi-auto rifles that mentally ill people used for these handful of mass shootings? Seems the focus should be somewhere else... yes on gun shows and banning assault rifles and large magazines

5. Call it Crazy Follow Befriend 249 threads 2,913 comments

   27   3:24pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (2)   Thedaytoday says yes on gun shows and banning assault rifles and large magazines Right, because that's the firearm that causes the majority of murders.... *

6. Thedaytoday Follow Befriend 46 threads 530 comments

   28   3:27pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike   Call it Crazy says Right, because that's the firearm that causes the majority of murders.... That's very cruel. I think the conversation should be about the fact this killer didn't need to reload and thus could not be stopped. Cling to your gun stats , that should make your feel safer. Gun shows laws need to be changed.

7. Call it Crazy Follow Befriend 249 threads 2,913 comments

   29   3:34pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (2)   Thedaytoday says That's very cruel. No, data is real. Sorry if these facts burst your fantasy... Thedaytoday says I think the conversation should be about the fact this killer didn't need to reload and thus could not be stopped. The conversation should be about how to stop deranged mentally ill killers from doing this again. Guns don't reload themselves.... Thedaytoday says Cling to your gun stats , that should make your feel safer. You can cling to the stats, the guns are more useful.

8. Thedaytoday Follow Befriend 46 threads 530 comments

   30   4:02pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike (1)   Call it Crazy says The conversation should be about how to stop deranged mentally ill killers from doing this again. Guns don't reload themselves.... Especially AR's that don't need to reloaded to fire 30 or 100 rounds.

9. Thedaytoday Follow Befriend 46 threads 530 comments

   31   4:03pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike (1)   Call it Crazy says You can cling to the stats, the guns are more useful. Cling to your AR's.

10. Thedaytoday Follow Befriend 46 threads 530 comments

    32   4:03pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike (1)   Call it Crazy says Thedaytoday says That's very cruel. No, data is real. Sorry if these facts burst your fantasy... You are a cruel son of a bitch

11. Kevin Follow Befriend 40 threads 2,652 comments

    33   4:44pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   thunderlips11 says Most mass killings are committed by mentally ill people. Most serial killers are mentally ill, if not all of them. Many murders are committed by mentally ill people, including sociopaths which is a mental disorder. Probably the majority of suicides are committed by the mentally ill, with only a fraction being sane people who make a logical decision to engage in euthanasia for themselves due to severe pain interfering with them having any quality of life. Mass shootings are terrible, but they're only a small part of the problem. Gun violence on the streets is committed by run of the mill criminals. You tell them that they can't own a gun, and they'll just get one illegally (they already do). It's the mere existence of the guns that lets them obtain them. It isn't "assault rifles". It isn't "high capacity magazines". It isn't crazy people. It's simply the wide availability of all types of firearms. A simple revolver is orders of magnitude more lethal than a sword or large knife.

12. Call it Crazy Follow Befriend 249 threads 2,913 comments

    34   6:39pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Kevin says It isn't "assault rifles". It isn't "high capacity magazines". It isn't crazy people. It's simply the wide availability of all types of firearms. So why are the anti-gun people only trying to grab the "assault rifles"?

13. zzyzzx Follow Befriend (9) 434 threads 4,247 comments Baltimore, MD

    35   6:42pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Call it Crazy says So why are the anti-gun people only trying to grab the "assault rifles"? Their definition of an "assault rifle" is pretty much every rifle, except maybe a bolt action rifle. That and some handguns.

14. Call it Crazy Follow Befriend 249 threads 2,913 comments

    36   6:46pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike (1)   zzyzzx says Their definition of an "assault rifle" is pretty much every rifle, except maybe a bolt action rifle. That and some handguns. I wonder if they're going to include this rifle in the assault category?? *

15. Homeboy Follow Befriend 17 threads 1,604 comments

    37   6:48pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   thunderlips11 says One of the secrets about Japan (and Singapore and other Asian Countries) is that certain crimes are swept under the rug by authorities or defined differently. For example, when a man flips out in Japan and kills his wife and 2 kids, it counts as a quadruple suicide - it doesn't count as a murder. Japan has a very high suicide rate, despite the gun ban. Cultural differences. Oh, bullshit.

16. Homeboy Follow Befriend 17 threads 1,604 comments

    38   6:49pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Kevin says It isn't "assault rifles". It isn't "high capacity magazines". It isn't crazy people. It's simply the wide availability of all types of firearms. Hear, hear!

17. Homeboy Follow Befriend 17 threads 1,604 comments

    39   6:50pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   IDDQD says And what our lefty president did about all that? Big fat nothing. He's not really a lefty, despite the bullshit the right spews about him.

18. Call it Crazy Follow Befriend 249 threads 2,913 comments

    40   7:02pm Thu 27 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Thedaytoday says Call it Crazy says The conversation should be about how to stop deranged mentally ill killers from doing this again. Guns don't reload themselves.... Especially AR's that don't need to reloaded to fire 30 or 100 rounds. On the subject of violence and mentally ill killers, here is a perfect example of what's being given to the kids at early ages. You mentioned large drum mags.... take a look at what your kids get to "play" with and you wonder how it leads to the real thing if they are already having psych issues.... *

19. Kevin Follow Befriend 40 threads 2,652 comments

    41   3:31am Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Call it Crazy says Kevin says It isn't "assault rifles". It isn't "high capacity magazines". It isn't crazy people. It's simply the wide availability of all types of firearms. So why are the anti-gun people only trying to grab the "assault rifles"? Because they're stupid and think that it will work well enough while avoiding any major 2nd amendment showdown. IMO, the only think that's going to fix gun violence is amending the constitution. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that we had to fix some stupid idea that the framers had. Call it Crazy says On the subject of violence and mentally ill killers, here is a perfect example of what's being given to the kids at early ages. You mentioned large drum mags.... take a look at what your kids get to "play" with and you wonder how it leads to the real thing if they are already having psych issues.... Kids have been playing with pretend guns for as long as there have been pretend guns. Kids in other countries play with pretend weapons (and play MORE violent video games and watch MORE violent movies). They don't grow up and kill people. You know why? BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET REAL GUNS EASILY. Everyone likes to play armchair psychologist after the fact, but when it comes down to it, if you wanted to ban every kid with violent tendencies from ever owning a gun you'd be looking at about 40% of the population (i.e. most males). And we're still talking about "crazy people" when the fact remains that most gun death is of the crime, domestic, and accidental variety. If you came up with some magical way to prevent every person who fits a dangerous psych profile from obtaining a firearm, the US would *STILL* have the highest per-capita rate of gun violence among countries with a stable government. The only countries that have more gun violence than we do are failed states where the government has little control, there's no rule of law, and everybody and their mother carries a firearm for "protection" (kind of like the NRA's dream for america!) You absolutely can reduce the number of guns in the US, and it's nothing like marijuana. Canada has about a third as many firearms per capita as the US, and yet they border the country with the most firearms -- ON TWO SIDES! Shit, you'd think those canadians would be sneaking all sorts of firearms in from the US and shooting each other up all the time, right? A stable, wealthy country where rule of law reigns should not have death rates that rival countries like El Salvador and Columbia.

20. Homeboy Follow Befriend 17 threads 1,604 comments

    42   11:42am Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Call it Crazy says So, why ban semi-auto rifles that mentally ill people used for these handful of mass shootings? Seems the focus should be somewhere else.... I agree that assault weapons bans don't go far enough. But at least it's a start. Maybe when the gun nuts realize that regulations on firearms won't make the whole country suddenly go Mad Max, and stop screaming about it, we can actually work on reducing the insane number of guns in the US. You have to focus on what might actually be accomplished. It's just like the Obamacare argument: So many people say they hate Obamacare and want nationalized healthcare. But that would never fly in the current political climate, so that choice just wasn't on the table. Sometimes you have to take baby steps.

21. Kevin Follow Befriend 40 threads 2,652 comments

    43   5:41pm Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Another fine example of why saying "crazy guy can't own guns" just won't work: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/dawn-nguyen-arrested_n_2377285.html Just pay your neighbor to buy the guns for you!

22. thomaswong.1986 Follow Befriend 15 threads 3,081 comments

    44   8:08pm Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Thedaytoday says Call it Crazy says The conversation should be about how to stop deranged mentally ill killers from doing this again. Guns don't reload themselves.... Especially AR's that don't need to reloaded to fire 30 or 100 rounds. yes.. tell that to the Korean shop owners back in 92 during the LA riots whiched lasted over a week. But I guess you could live with a massacres rape rampage. Hispanics fare no better and 1/3 killed were Hispanics. You can live with that right ? Yes.. there are good reasons to have a multi round clip... "Some Koreans formed armed self-defence groups following the 1992 riots. Speaking just prior to the 1993 verdict, Mr. Yong Kim, leader of the Korea Young Adult Team of Los Angeles, which purchased five AK-47s, stated, "We made a mistake last year. This time we won't. I don't know why Koreans are always a special target for African-Americans, but if they are going to attack our community then we are going to pay them back.

23. FortWayne Follow Befriend (13) 106 threads 3,863 comments

    45   8:11pm Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Homeboy says FortWayne says We haven't had too many incompetent presidents in this country. Carter, Nixon, Obama are the only 3 I can think of. You are hilarious. Nobody seems to remember that Ronald Reagan's administration illegally sold arms to radical government factions and used the proceeds to support other radicals in South America, and when questioned about it, Reagan didn't seem to remember anything that was going on in his own administration. Turns out he was already suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer's. Sorry if I blew his chances for sainthood. No president has been a saint. But Reagan administration and conservatism has saved this nation at a time of dire need. Now the polar left always tried to destroy the character of any man who tried to stand up to their union bullcrap. So I'm not surprised by all the attacks back then, or any today.

24. FortWayne Follow Befriend (13) 106 threads 3,863 comments

    46   8:12pm Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Call it Crazy says zzyzzx says Their definition of an "assault rifle" is pretty much every rifle, except maybe a bolt action rifle. That and some handguns. I wonder if they're going to include this rifle in the assault category?? * I bet this picture is frightening pants off some liberals out there.

25. thomaswong.1986 Follow Befriend 15 threads 3,081 comments

    47   8:13pm Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Kevin says The only countries that have more gun violence than we do are failed states where the government has little control, there's no rule of law, and everybody and their mother carries a firearm for "protection" (kind of like the NRA's dream for america!) like Germany maybe ? http://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/germany The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Germany is 25,000,000 The rate of private gun ownership in Germany is 30.32 firearms per 100 people In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Germany ranked at No. 4 Frankly i think there must be a boat load of unreported AK-47 not to mention the AK-72s which were floating since the fall of East Germany.

26. Kevin Follow Befriend 40 threads 2,652 comments

    48   10:19pm Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   thomaswong.1986 says Kevin says The only countries that have more gun violence than we do are failed states where the government has little control, there's no rule of law, and everybody and their mother carries a firearm for "protection" (kind of like the NRA's dream for america!) like Germany maybe ? http://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/germany The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Germany is 25,000,000 The rate of private gun ownership in Germany is 30.32 firearms per 100 people In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Germany ranked at No. 4 Frankly i think there must be a boat load of unreported AK-47 not to mention the AK-72s which were floating since the fall of East Germany. Germany has about 1/3rd as many guns as the US per capita (about the same as canada). It has a gun injury rate about 1/3rd (again, about the same as canada), and a gun DEATH rate about 1/10th (again, same as Canada) You are making a very, very poor argument. The data shows that in stable societies, there is a direct correlation between firearms per capita and firearm violence per capita.

27. Homeboy Follow Befriend 17 threads 1,604 comments

    49   10:23pm Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   FortWayne says I bet this picture is frightening pants off some liberals out there. Let's see, who is "frightened"? The people who want to regulate firearms, or the people who are saying, "Waaaah! Don't take away our guns; we need them to protect ourselves from the big scary bad guys." LOL.

28. Homeboy Follow Befriend 17 threads 1,604 comments

    50   10:26pm Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   FortWayne says No president has been a saint. But Reagan administration and conservatism has saved this nation at a time of dire need. Yes, we had a dire need to illegally sell arms to radical governments, and to put Saddam Hussein in power. Whatever you say. Now the polar left always tried to destroy the character of any man who tried to stand up to their union bullcrap. So I'm not surprised by all the attacks back then, or any today. Since when is the truth an "attack"? And what the fuck do unions have to do with an arms scandal?

29. thomaswong.1986 Follow Befriend 15 threads 3,081 comments

    51   11:10pm Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   Kevin says Germany has about 1/3rd as many guns as the US per capita (about the same as canada). It has a gun injury rate about 1/3rd (again, about the same as canada), and a gun DEATH rate about 1/10th (again, same as Canada) Neither Germany or Canada nor many other nations have Gangs numbering 1,000,0000 Does Germany have any Bloods, Grips, MS 13 or any other gangster shooting up any towns.... Nadda ! That is where the problem is !

30. thomaswong.1986 Follow Befriend 15 threads 3,081 comments

    52   11:11pm Fri 28 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   Homeboy says Yes, we had a dire need to illegally sell arms to radical governments, and to put Saddam Hussein in power. Whatever you say. Saddam Hussein and Iraq was a Soviet client state.

31. Call it Crazy Follow Befriend 249 threads 2,913 comments

    53   8:08am Sat 29 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   Kevin says Another fine example of why saying "crazy guy can't own guns" just won't work: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/dawn-nguyen-arrested_n_2377285.html Just pay your neighbor to buy the guns for you! Which proves the point, if a criminal wants to get his hands on a firearm, existing "laws" or more laws won't stop him....

32. Call it Crazy Follow Befriend 249 threads 2,913 comments

    54   8:18am Sat 29 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   Feinstein must not of looked at her own states statistics before she chanted about more guns means more violence.... **************************************** California gun sales jump; gun injuries, deaths fall http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/27/5079151/california-gun-sales-increase.html Gun deaths and injuries have dropped sharply in California, even as the number of guns sold in the state has risen, according to new state data. Dealers sold 600,000 guns in California last year, up from 350,000 in 2002, according to records of sale tallied by the California Attorney General's office. During that same period, the number of California hospitalizations due to gun injuries declined from about 4,000 annually to 2,800, a roughly 25 percent drop, according to hospital records collected by the California Department of Public Health. Firearm-related deaths fell from about 3,200 annually to about 2,800, an 11 percent drop, state health figures show. Most of the drop in firearm-related injuries and deaths can be explained by a well-documented, nationwide drop in violent crime. The number of California injuries and deaths attributed to accidental discharge of firearms also has fallen. The number of suicide deaths involving firearms has remained roughly constant.

33. pdh Follow Befriend 53 comments Durham, NC

    55   9:59am Sat 29 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Connecticut has strict gun laws, too. But the conversation is about Federal gun control not local gun laws so I'm not entirely sure what the point of this article is.

34. Homeboy Follow Befriend 17 threads 1,604 comments

    56   11:58am Sat 29 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   thomaswong.1986 says Homeboy says Yes, we had a dire need to illegally sell arms to radical governments, and to put Saddam Hussein in power. Whatever you say. Saddam Hussein and Iraq was a Soviet client state. If you are unaware of the Reagan administration's involvement in supporting Saddam, you need to educate yourself. I guess it's going to be this whitewashed version of Saint Reagan that the neocons are going to remember.

35. Kevin Follow Befriend 40 threads 2,652 comments

    57   2:31pm Sat 29 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   thomaswong.1986 says Kevin says Germany has about 1/3rd as many guns as the US per capita (about the same as canada). It has a gun injury rate about 1/3rd (again, about the same as canada), and a gun DEATH rate about 1/10th (again, same as Canada) Neither Germany or Canada nor many other nations have Gangs numbering 1,000,0000 Does Germany have any Bloods, Grips, MS 13 or any other gangster shooting up any towns.... Nadda ! That is where the problem is ! Yes, there are gangs and other organized crime in these countries. What they don't have are firearms!

36. David Losh Follow Befriend (2) 8 threads 1,158 comments Seattle, WA David Losh's website Premium

    58   4:39pm Sat 29 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike   Protected   Kevin says What they don't have are firearms! Criminals don't need guns because you are a sitting duck. All a gang member in Germany needs is a good pair of steel toed boots. In some countries petty crime is rampant, and unreported because any person with a base ball bat can become a terrorist. Now, if the populace is armed then yes, the criminals need to be armed. A gun is an easier weapon to use, for all size of people. That is why the Colt was called the great equalizer. In a place like Chicago they should be allowed armed patrols, deputies if you will. These people need training, back ground checks, gun registration, and support. I'm sorry, but we do have that right. We have the right to a Militia.

37. Kevin Follow Befriend 40 threads 2,652 comments

    59   5:44pm Sat 29 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   You also have the right to say incredibly stupid, uninformed things.

38. David Losh Follow Befriend (2) 8 threads 1,158 comments Seattle, WA David Losh's website Premium

    60   5:51pm Sat 29 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   Kevin says You also have the right to say incredibly stupid, uninformed things. That is a very weak argument that provides no information.

39. FortWayne Follow Befriend (13) 106 threads 3,863 comments

    61   8:13am Mon 31 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   David Losh says In some countries petty crime is rampant, and unreported because any person with a base ball bat can become a terrorist. Out here in CA there is a nice family neighborhood nearby called Simi Valley. Lowest crime rate in entire state as far as I know... but the reason is that they don't actually report the crimes. That's what a police officer who works there told me, and he wasn't alone either. It's like propaganda out here in CA, crime happens, and they tell people the opposite. Like a big lie, that they'll keep on telling us as long as it works.

40. Dan8267 Follow Befriend (17) 785 threads 7,962 comments Boca Raton, FL Premium

    62   8:19am Mon 31 Dec 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   FortWayne says I bet this picture is frightening pants off some liberals out there. It's not.

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