[font=Courier New] Charlie Gibson is the quentsential liberal. They don't use facts, nor does the right. Both sides pull these stats out of the ether with the same regularity.

I have read statistics that claim the opposite. 65% of Americans want to own rocket launchers.

See, I just made that up. Little, yellow, different. [/font]

Originally posted by Amaterasu
I was reading somewhere where the "news" was deemed not to have any responsibility (beyond personal liability) to report the actual news... Trying to find where that was.

Anyway, a court case was won by the "news" organization which was reporting falsities, with the ruling coming down that they were under no obligation to actually report news - basically just protect advertisers... I guess this is the next step. Fabricate figures. Since they are under no requirement to report truth.

If I'm not mistaken you might find a relevant starting point at the Fox News case in Florida when a pair of reporters tried to publicly present their finding that Monsanto was using dangerous hormones in their dairy producing cows. The courts upheld that Fox is not obliged to tell the truth.

Where I live in colorado springs you're looking at anti gunners being a distinct and QUIET minority since the events at the New Life Church. For those that missed that one, a rampage shooter was taken down with extreme prejudice by a member of the congregation who was carrying. In the aftermath she was labeled a volunteer security guard and I think it made some people think.

We live in a country who's founding document lays out not only our RIGHT but our DUTY to be a nation of volunteer security guards. The support for the anti gun movement has never been very strong among anyone who is more logically than emotionally oriented... Sorry ladies but this is why the FARCE called the Million Mom March was targeted at mothers.

Because sadly the same instinct that allows us all to survive childhood without being eaten by our mothers like lizards do is also rife with potential for political motivation by FEAR. One picture of a gunshot killed 6 year old and the question "what if this was your child?" is more than enough catalyst to start a movement that can move mountains. And our leaders and their backers are truly adept at inciting the mob through such questions and then getting in front of it to lead the mob in the direction THEY want it to go.

On the other side of the coin pseudo intellectual and impressionable college age students of both genders are targeted by groups with an ideology and their agenda draped over it. This is your core constituent anti gun crowd as well as urbanites who just can't take anymore and are desperate for ANY solution.

The truth is though Virginia tech, Columbine, and the countless other incidents have nearly all happened in "gun free zones" enforced by a sign at the entrance to the area! This sign has two effects
1. the rational person sees the sign and fearing the legal ramifications of a gun charge. (said ramifications being GUARANTEED prison loss of gun rights and other rights and the virtual sentence to nothing but drudge work for the rest of your life that being a felon does to your employment prospects) disarms themselves to comply with the sign.

2. Joe Rampage Shooter sees the sign and after a few days, weeks, months or years realizes that this is the place to "make himself famous", "make the world pay", or whatever their schtick is.

as to the ban of new full auto's to the civilian market in the 80's.... I submit to you that someone should do a quick survey of how many halliburton execs, congressmen, and other uber rich own full auto's (Class 3 firearms). I say this because in the last twenty years if you've wanted a fool proof investment you needed look no further than a class 3 firearm. They have appreciated more in value than any CD or T bill or IRA out there CONSISTENTLY. On top of that what better way to ensure that the wealthy have the DISTINCT firepower advantage over the lower classes in the event they ever figure out how duped they have been?

As an added not to above your average class3 full auto firearm owner is not Joe Bob in the trailer park it's doctors lawyers and etc. A standard m16 that costs the government less than 900 dollars to procure when legally sold to a civilian is worth in the neighborhood of $15,000 to $20,000 dollars.
As an added note to That... the conversion of firearms to full automatic from semi is a job that can be done with hand tools in a pinch... and if you have a well equipped shop you can build a whole freaking gun in an afternoon of any type you like. And beyond that if one does a google search for full automatic enfield... you will find pictures and commentary on how in the early days of world war 2 the british and Aussies began a program to convert BOLT ACTION RIFLES to light machine guns because of the disaster at dunkirk. And working prototypes/ production models were built as a side note.

In closing readers,

Gun control is using both hands, and possibly a scope. Anyone who tells you different is stupid or has an agenda.

No they don't the government makes up those numbers. Most people doubt the government will take our guns away, so the people that have them don't care to vote in the poll. Polls are a completely illegitimate way to get public opinions.

If they ever try I will never surrender my gun. (Assuming I have one, I am only 18...)

If you were to ever talk to people that think that semi auto firearms should be banned, you would find that they are ignorant of the the difference between full and semi auto firearms. When arrest involving illegally owned firearms are televised the para military appearing semi autos are always referred to as assault rifles, which has those that are not familiar with weaponry concluding that they are capable of full auto function. This lack of knowledge transcends liberal, conservative politics as there are a great number on both sides that are in the dark about the difference between an assault rifle, and a semi automatic.

Originally posted by Maxmars
If I'm not mistaken you might find a relevant starting point at the Fox News case in Florida when a pair of reporters tried to publicly present their finding that Monsanto was using dangerous hormones in their dairy producing cows. The courts upheld that Fox is not obliged to tell the truth.

That was one, though I could have sworn there was another - heh, likely many, given the creppola that passes as "news" these days.

70 percent my ass. The way guns are selling right now, 70 percent of Americans own them! I am in that biz, and biz is the best I have seen in 15 years. When folks are doing bad in the market and gas is high, plus a election year............Guns sell.

The poll he is referring to was worded ""Should the public be banned from owning military style automatic weapons"" this means only one thing to people that are familiar with guns. that is "full auto weapons".
it does not ask if "semi-auto" weapons should be banned.

Whoever did the poll was ether totally ignorant about guns OR more likely this was a deceptive poll to get the a results they could manipulate to back there anti gun, anti semi auto weapons stand.

i am willing to bet it was a deceptive poll.

you will notice that when a reporter quotes the results of a poll he NEVER quotes the wording of the poll question.

this is called disinformation and deception.