Gun
Control, Media Bias, and the Talmud
 | Pro gun-control media coverage exceeds anti
gun-control coverage by 10 to 50 times.
|
| Three quarters of the mainstream media is owned
or controlled by Jews.
|
| Less than 4% of those polled support gun control.
|
| Less than 8% believe gun control is effective.
|
NRA-ILA FAX ALERT
Vol. 7, No. 1 1/7/00 YET MORE CONFIRMATION OF ANTI-GUN MEDIA BIAS
This week, the Media Research Center (MRC) confirmed what the pro-gun community already
knew -- when it comes to firearm-related stories, the news coverage on ABC, CBS, CNN, and
NBC is decidedly anti-gun. The MRC study, which examined stories from July 1, 1997, to
June 30, 1999, covered 653 morning and evening news stories, and found that:
** Stories promoting gun control outnumbered those opposing gun control 357 to 36, with
another 260 stories giving neutral coverage. The stories advocating gun control outpaced
those opposing by a ratio of nearly 10 to 1!
** On the evening news, nearly 60% (184) of the stories favored one side. Of those
stories taking a side, 89% (164) promoted the anti-gun position, while only 11% (20)
supported pro-gun views, a ratio of 8 to 1. The worst in this category were ABC's World
News Tonight (43 anti to 3 pro), and CNN's The World Today (50 to 7).
** The morning news coverage was even worse in its bias. Of the 208 morning segments
that exhibited bias, 93% (193) promoted an anti-gun message, while six percent (15)
presented a pro-gun view, a ratio of 13 to 1. ABC's Good Morning America ran 92 anti-gun
segments, and only one pro-gun story.
** Anti-gun sound bites were used twice as often as pro-gun sound bites -- 412 to 209.
** Morning programs with interview segments had more than twice as many anti-gun guests
as pro-gun -- 82 to 37.
** Pro-gun themes, like the decline in federal gun prosecutions under the Clinton-Gore
Administration, or the success of the "Project Exile" prosecution model,
received scant coverage, in the single digits, from the 653 stories reviewed.
This is the second analysis of this subject conducted by the MRC. In 1994, MRC released
a study that examined evening news programs on ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC, that time focusing
on the period of December 1, 1991, to November 30, 1993. MRC researchers found that of 107
stories examined, 62% devoted substantially more time to anti-gun arguments than pro-gun,
that news commentators who endorsed gun control outnumbered those opposed by nearly 2 to
1, and the anti-gun bias was even more distinct when the story concerned the Brady bill,
expanding to 3 to 1 against the pro-gun view. If you would like to see a full copy of the
MRC report, you will find links to it through the NRA-ILA's website, at http://www.nraila.org. You can also receive a reprint of
Guns, Bias and the Evening News, an article that closely examines MRC's 1994 study, by
calling the Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.
NEW GROUP ENTERS NEGOTIATIONS
A group that claims to represent the interests of firearm retailers was recently
formed, and immediately began negotiating with the Clinton-Gore Administration in what
seems to be an attempt to appease its anti-gun appetite. The group, the National Coalition
of Firearm Retailers, is headed by Robert Ricker, who previously worked for the American
Shooting Sports Council (ASSC). The ASSC, which represented a small segment of the
firearms industry, was dissolved last year. The industry, of course, is represented by the
National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), headed by Robert Delfay. The Wall Street
Journal reported that Delfay stated NSSF was representing the interests of retailers, and
many within the pro-gun community question the advisability of Ricker's representation
given his proven willingness to grandstand for the media and promote compromise with
anti-gunners such as those in the Clinton-Gore White House.
A LOOK AT THE STATES
CALIFORNIA
Next week, two significant anti-gun bills will be heard in committee in the Assembly.
The first, AB 1010, to be heard on Monday, January 10, by the Governmental Organization
Cmte., seeks to prohibit any organization, such as a gun club or local Friends of NRA
chapter, from raffling off firearms or firearm-related accessories at any group-oriented
gathering. The second, AB 1607, to be heard on Tuesday, January 11, by the Public Safety
Cmte., seeks to establish a licensing, registration, and registration renewal scheme for
all handgun owners and even require so-called proficiency tests! Be sure to contact your
Assemblyman as well as members of these committees and urge them to oppose these
proposals. For a list of committee members and phone numbers, contact the NRA-ILA
Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.
COLORADO
NRA-ILA will be hosting three free Grassroots-Legislative Workshops in January to help
prepare our members for the legislative battles that lay ahead. The workshops are
scheduled for January 8 (tomorrow) in Denver, January 12 in Colorado Springs, and January
15 in Grand Junction. For meeting locations, additional details, and to reserve your spot,
please call the Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.
ILLINOIS
Despite intense pressure from Governor Ryan (R) and anti-gun Chicago Mayor Richard
Daley (D), the Illinois Senate, under the leadership of James "Pate" Phillip
(R), refused to pass the "Safe Neighborhood Act" with its provision making
improper transport of a firearm a felony. Although the Governor had called the Senate back
for a third special session convinced he had the votes for passage, several pro-gun
legislators refused to succumb to his pressure. Our thanks go out to all gun owners across
Illinois who made calls to their lawmakers ensuring the swift defeat of this measure.
INDIANA
On Wednesday, January 12, the Senate Corrections, Criminal and Civil Procedures
Committee will hold a hearing on SB 45, the Lawsuit Preemption bill. SB 45 would prevent
municipalities from engaging in reckless lawsuits against legal gun manufacturers. Please
make plans to attend Wednesday's hearing at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Chamber of the State
Capitol.
NEW YORK
Gun owners are bitterly disappointed that Governor Pataki (R) vetoed NRA-backed
legislation authorizing schools to implement firearm safety programs. Had A 2045/S 4057
been signed into law, it would have encouraged schools to teach firearm safety courses
such as NRA's award winning Eddie Eagle GunSafe� Program with its important gun avoidance
message for children: "Stop. Don't touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult." Our
thanks go out to members of the Senate and the Assembly who voted in favor of this
critical legislation as well as to NRA, NYSRPA, SAFE and SCOPE members who worked hard to
get the bill to the Governor's desk. It's a shame that politics could not be put aside in
order to begin implementing programs like Eddie Eagle that have been proven to prevent
accidents with guns.
OHIO
On Tuesday, January 11, the House Criminal Justice Committee will hear testimony on HB
526, the "Taft Burglar Protection Bill." Among other things, HB 526 would
require that all firearms be locked away, including guns intended for self-defense
purposes! Please attend this hearing, which will be held at 1:30 p.m., in room 114 of the
State Capitol Building on Tuesday.
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