"Facts, Figures And Fallacies: the NRA's Misuse of Gun Statistics"

[applegrove]

Facts, Figures And Fallacies: the NRA's Misuse of Gun Statistics

by Jim Borghesani at Cognoscenti

http://cognoscenti.wbur.org/2013/02/12/nra-gun-crimes-jim-borghesani

"SNIP............................................

In his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 30, National Rifle Association executive vice president Wayne LaPierre trotted out a hoary chestnut of NRA mythology: Prosecutors don’t go after gun criminals.

“That means violent felons, gang members and the mentally ill who possess firearms are not being prosecuted. And that’s unacceptable,” LaPierre said.

It’s also untrue.

LaPierre offered no statistics to back up his oft-repeated charge, save for a mention of federal gun crime prosecutions falling by 35 percent in 2011 compared to 2010 — a claim discredited by the fact that violent crimes decreased nationwide during that span. LaPierre left unsaid that about 75 percent of federal gun crimes are originated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, an agency the NRA has gone to extraordinary lengths to weaken.

LaPierre also didn’t mention that the vast majority of gun crimes in America are handled by state, not federal, prosecutors. Gun murders, gang shootings, firearm assaults and armed robberies are rarely pulled up to federal court, for the simple reason that these crimes violate existing state laws and state prosecutors possess the investigative resources to pursue the cases. This is where the NRA’s statistical claims become even more assailable.



............................................SNIP"

[zbdent]

1. Wasn't "a lie of omission is still a lie" a big thing?

Oh, wait ... only when it's a Dem/Lib; when it's a Repug/Con, hey, no prob!

[gejohnston]

4. that is the true nature of

partisan politics.

[gejohnston]

2. How so?

LaPierre left unsaid that about 75 percent of federal gun crimes are originated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, an agency the NRA has gone to extraordinary lengths to weaken.

That is the agency that is supposed to do it. The cite is a claim by MAIG. Can't blame the NRA entirely. Until 1972, the job fell to the IRS's Misc. tax unit, which the IRS didn't fund or really care about. In fact, they used it as a dumping round for EEO offenders, racists, sexists, and other problem children. That became the initial cadre and management of ATF when it became a separate agency under the Treasury Dept before moving to DoJ. Personally, they should go back to being unarmed agents under IRS for the tax and inspection part, and leave the door kicking to the FBI.

LaPierre also didn’t mention that the vast majority of gun crimes in America are handled by state, not federal, prosecutors. Gun murders, gang shootings, firearm assaults and armed robberies are rarely pulled up to federal court, for the simple reason that these crimes violate existing state laws and state prosecutors possess the investigative resources to pursue the cases. This is where the NRA’s statistical claims become even more assailable.

How many are felons in possession? Minors in possession outside of the few exceptions allowed? Possessing stolen firearms? Those are federal crimes.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

3. How about this fallacy = No good liberal Democrat would favor owning a firearm in the home for

self-defense or any other purpose.

NRA = bad
authoritarian gun controllers = good
liberal Democrats who own firearms = bad, and even questionable as to whether they are liberals.

/sarcasm on
Obviously, the way to be a "good liberal" is to express a desire to take away the choice of Americans to lawfully own firearms in the home for self-defense, and demonizing liberal Democrats who own firearms and/or favor freedom of choice, must be a "liberal" value.

Also obviously, anyone who owns a firearm for any purpose must want to own 50-round clips, bazookas, and even atomic devices. These must be the people who are opposed to any type of regulation because they simply don't care about the children.

/sarcasm off

[holdencaufield]

5. I kind of have to admit ...

... I would like an atomic device.

One of those '50s retro ones would make an awesome coffee table

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

6. Obviously...

...this side would have to point up.

[holdencaufield]

7. I don't think anyone could truthfully say ...

... they haven't fantasized about doing THIS

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

8. It's kind of a tie for me...

...between the "Major Kong" and "Cowboy" in The Getaway for my favorite Slim Pickens roles.

Vaya con Dios.

[holdencaufield]

9. Initially -- Peter Sellers was supposed to play Major Kong

as his 4th role in the film.

But, he couldn't pull off the accent so they hired Slim Pickens (and the movie is the better for it in my opinion)

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

10. ...and he broke his hip.

Would've been impossible to sit on the bomb.

[Eleanors38]

11. And had to answer to the Coca-Cola Company for that!

[westcoastleftleaner]

12. why no mental help!!!!!

Having a mother and brother that are both schizo-effective, we still are avoiding the real issue!!!!!!! Being there payees and care providers why can they STILL both buy a legal firearm!!!!!!! WHY?

[holdencaufield]

13. Maybe because they never used enough exclamation marks?

It's hard for people to tell how crazy you are if you don't use a lot of exclamation marks.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. maybe because the OP is from Canada ...

good luck, here.