Wow, Reporters -DO- Exist

[Kennedy 0]

And here I thought all we had left were "journalists" and other entertainers.


http://www.epcommunitynews.com/archives/2004/yp102904.htm

This writer wrote a powerful story but added in false information based on misleading statements of others. Upon learning this, he actually wrote a full retraction and quoted from the e-mails that enlightened her.

Look at that - just one week to go from good-hearted but ill-informed all the way to education the public on a widel misunderstood topic.

Yeah, I'm impressed.

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Error draws gun supporters' fire

Last week's column inadvertently crossed swords with gun owners and supporters and drew several e-mailers from out of state who set me right on getting a fact wrong. In discussing the protection-from-abuse issue and extending it to encompass full funding of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and its reauthorization in 2004, which would help hundreds of thousands of battered women and their children, I tripped up this way: "My guess is that the male-dominated Congress, which recently refused to maintain the ban on automatic weapons, would rather spend the money on another missile."

Sentiment correct, automatic wrong. Those interested in reading the entire column may find it at epcommunitynews.com on the Internet.

Among the five e-mailers noting the mistake, this writer detailed it this way.

Editor EPCN:
I enjoyed your editorial very much, but I do have one quibble. You said "My guess is that the male-dominated Congress, which recently refused to maintain the ban on automatic weapons ..." is flat wrong. Automatic weapons were effectively banned back in the 1930s, by the National Firearms Act which placed a $200 transfer tax on automatic weapons (among other things). ... Today, however, the NFA is still in effect, and many states (including my own, Minnesota) ban them completely except for a few dealers. The assault weapon ban which Congress allowed to expire barred rifles with a detachable magazine and two or more of the following features: the fearsome muzzle-shroud (that piece of metal with holes in it on the barrel), the bayonet lug (gotta stop those drive-by bayonettings), the flash hider (which does not hide muzzle-flash from anyone except the shooter, which reduces loss of night vision), pistol grips, threaded barrels (which can accept silencers! (which also are effectively barred by the NFA)) and folding or telescoping stocks (we wouldn't want my 5-foot, one-inch tall wife to be able to use the same rifle that fits my 6-foot, 4-inch frame). It also banned normal capacity magazines, limiting their capacity to 10 rounds.

Aside from that one thing, I really did enjoy the article, especially your depiction of the proper way to greet a murderous ex-husband (with a shotgun blast as he kicks in your door). Peace.
Bruce W. Krafft
Maplewood, MN

Another letter writer, Andrew Johnstone, RPh/MD, on behalf of Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws (http://www.dsgl.org), pointed out that a criminologist, Gary Kleck, author of a book, Point Blank, noted that a victim of a violent assault has increased risk of injury or death if the victim "resists with a weapon," but he points out that if you look specifically at firearms, the risk of injury or death is greatly reduced.

"This is the part the hoplophobes tend to omit, as they caution women to remain defenseless and 'just cooperate' or to rely on 'cute' weapons like car keys and mace, which increase their chance of injury or death," Johnstone added. "Unfortunately, many of the expert 'advisors' to women are either bureaucrats who already live an insulated life, or police officers who arm themselves and family members with firearms, while relegating the ordinary masses to using sticks or stones or paper for protection."

He concluded that those wishing to pursue non-traditional ideas on the matter visit the favorite links section of his group's Web site (address above).

Then, from closer to home, T. Kennedy of Morris County, N. J., provided me with a copy of the law, saying: "I know journalists feel strongly about their need to be accurate in their reporting, and I wanted you to know the truth, as there has been a great deal of misleading speech surrounding the law and its sunset in September."

I am also indebted to Kennedy for providing the two published characterizations accompanying this column.

ps - yeah, that Kennedy is this Kennedy

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[PhillyKev 0]

Good job. It amazes me how many people feel so strongly about an issue of which they have zero comprehension as to the facts surrounding it.

[DZJ 0]

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Error draws gun supporters' fire

Last week's column inadvertently crossed swords with gun owners

I liked this metaphor, but it strikes me that the column might find itself a little out-gunned.

[MC208B 0]

good job Kennedy and bravo for this reporter