Classic Anti-Gun Media Spin

[Cosmoline]

The Nat.Geo channel is airing a new series about Alaska State Troopers. The troopers themselves acknowledge the reality that virtually all of us here are armed and most know how to shoot. What I found absolutely fascinating was the way the NARRATOR includes a number of erroneous and slanderous comments about this fact:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnzqNS1rWR0

First of all, we do not need a "license" to own or carry firearms. We never needed one for carrying out of the city, and we haven't needed one for CCW in town since 04.

Secondly, the presence of firearms is not a constant danger to the troopers as the narrator states. A total of four troopers have been killed by gunfire since statehood, while the same number died in general aviation accidents. Considering the fact that most encounters with citizens involve firearms, and virtually none result in any shots fired let alone injury to the officer, I think it's fair to say that our firearms do NOT present much danger to the officers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_State_Troopers#Fallen_Officers

This is a textbook case of a big media producer putting an anti-gun spin on firearm-neutral material.

 

[Werewolf]

News Alert!

Flash! Flash! Tomorrow the sun will rise.

That is All​

Sorry - couldn't resist.

That sort of reporting is so commonplace these days as to be the norm. Even FOX is going that way.

What can we do about it but point out to others who've seen the show, news story etc the errors in the reporting? I've tried that. Given up. Got tired of watching people, even friends roll their eyes.

Interesting post but truth be told its just preaching to the choir here.

Try posting it on Democratic Underground. Who knows some bleeding heart mindless moron over there might have a stroke or something after reading it.

 

[Ltp0wer]

Wow, my gramps was an Alaska State Trooper. I wonder what he'd think of this.

Cool video, dispite the errors you mentioned.

 

[lions]

If all these gun-toting Alaskans were really such a threat to law enforcement I would imagine they would have a few more than 386 officers.

 

[SomeDude]

From what I've read it sounds like most of the crime in AK comes from alcohol.

 

[Erik M]

Nat. Geo. is about as bad and the AP when it comes to the 'spin'. You know, several million people own guns, I'm willing to bet that smokeless gunpowder contributes to global warming. Dont let them find out though.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

Nat. Geo. is about as bad and the AP when it comes to the 'spin'. You know, several million people own guns, I'm willing to bet that smokeless gunpowder contributes to global warming. Dont let them find out though.

Well, the lead from the bullets is already destroying the environment, only makes sense that the powder in them is melting the ice caps.

 

[inSight-NEO]

Media spin = Par for the course (these days). You dont have to like it, but Id get used to it.

Shouldnt Alaska LE be more concerned about armed criminals vs. armed citizens? Should LE be the only ones capable of defending themselves? After all, from what I gathered, a relatively small LE force is responsible for a very large area. Hence, chances are that any LE intervention/response to a violent encounter (involving a "responsible"/innocent citizen) would be too late. If the "responsible" citizen is armed, then such intervention (via LE) may not be necessary in order to assuage the situation. I wish LE (not just in Alaska, but anywhere) understood this concept and agreed with it 100%.

 

[Leanwolf]

"National Geographic" has been blatently anti-hunting and anti-guns owned by us worker peasants, for many, many years.

Don't expect any non-biased articles, reporting, or documentaries from them regarding same.

L.W.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Frankly, I'd be more worried about wild animals in Alaska than people with guns.

 

[JellyJar]

Prince Yamato....I bet wild animals in Alaska is more of a reason so many Alaskans own guns then criminals!

 

[slicksleeve]

It's mostly the media spin. If you could interview the individual trooper they probably don't mind everyone having a gun. (I haven't gotten to see the show yet.) I personally advocate and encourage the people I come in contact to be armed. It would be nice if I could just transfer as a state employee to Alaska for say mabye a year? I think that would be a great job!

 

[DougDubya]

It wouldn't be a fun cop show if there were no fear of cops getting into gunfights.*

*Despite the lack of shootings on COPS!

 

[renegade1alpha]

Here in Idaho I know almost everyone owns a gun. It does not bother me to see a respectable looking person carrying a gun. What bothers me is the young guy wearing baggy pants, walking like one of his legs are broke, and wearing his flat billed ball cap cocked sideways on his head like he turned his head to fast and his hat forgot to move. THOSE are the ones that bother me.

If you look, act and display yourself as a thug or a criminal, chances are you probably are.

Carrying a gun is responsibility. If you look or act irresponsible (regardless of how you are dressed) then you probably are. The above statement was just an example.

 

[SFB]

i agree with everything said here. just wanted to provide this link i found that states 27 alaskan LEOs (not just troopers) have been killed from gunfire in the line of duty. I could not find a date or a period of time this data covers or was started. while still tragic this is a pretty low number compared to most of the CONUS. and they obviously weren't shot by your average law abiding citizen. LEO deaths by guns in line of duty

Edit to add: This list dates back to 1908.

 

[btg3]

Looks there may be a ~40 year gap in that list (roughly 1920-1960). Or if this record is complete, what explains the abscence of gunfire deaths for that period?