The Laughing Wolf

CNN And BATF

I was less than surprised to discover that CNN had tried to do a hit piece on guns recently, this time trying to scare everyone about .50 caliber BMG rifles. These are long-range target rifles, the same as truly long-range military snipers use. They are legal to own in the US, but since people have apparently started wising up to so-called "assault" weapons myths (and flat out media misrepresentations), a new monster was needed.

The problem is, CNN appears to have broken the law in its attempt to demonize such guns. That it did so does not surprise me at all, since the rules and regulations promulgated by BATF and laws by our wise and omnipotent Congresscritters make it virtually impossible for any gun to be bought or sold without violation of rule, regulation, or law when you get right down to it. One of the reasons I don't like to ever sell any weapon, since I could transgress in all innocence. Given that, I would tend to argue that the benefit of the doubt be given despite the fact that my reading of transcripts and such indicate that the story was an open (and badly done) piece of advocacy "journalism."

Not this time. It might be instructive if the public were to see a strong government prosecution for what is basically one Citizen selling a bolt-action rifle to another. A legally-purchased and sold rifle that can be bought new almost anywhere. A prosecution, like others, where the person may not have even realized they were breaking a rule, regulation, or law.

Doc Russia has coverage here and here. The Smalles Minority has coverage here, here, here, here, here, here, and what appears to be a MAJOR update here. Given the latter, I doubt any of what I would like to see will happen, but if nothing else, a spotlight does need to shine here. It needs to continue to shine, so that the truth is out.

LW