Outdoor Editor Says NRA Easy Target For Media
Media cliches find the NRA an easy target, noted Rich Landers,
outdoors editor of the Spokane, WA, Spokesman-Reviews in a Nov. 24
column.
"The National Rifle Association is the nation's favorite
stereotype," Landers said. "Political cartoonists like to picture
the NRA as 'Bubba,' the burly goon with a gun. National reporters
approach virtually every gun-related story assuming the NRA is the
villian.
"But the public deserves more than the cliches the media seem to
relish.
"For example, a Washington Post wire story, published in this and
numerous other papers, reported that the NRA had supported certain
candidates in the Nov. 3 elections. The story said that the so-
called 'gun lobby' gave $1.8 million to political candidates.
"The story is objective and factual. But it's ludicrous when you
consider what stories did not run in newspapers across the country.
Real Estate
"Here's some perspective.
"In the 1988 elections (complete figures aren't available yet for
1992), the national associations representing real estate agents
spent $3 million to lead the nation in contributions to candidates,
according to the Federal Elections Commission.
"The NRA was No. 32 on the list, with contributions totalling
$772,000.
"The real estate lobby spent another $5.9 million for political
purposes not directly connected to candidates.
"Yet, when was the last time you saw a national story about the
'real estate lobby' and its influence in land-use decisions that
affect everything from homeless people to wildlife habitat?"
Landers added, "Extremists are delighted that the media are
gullible for cliches.
"Consider the letter that appeared in Sunday's sport section from
Chris Bowers of Liberty Lake. (His name should be familiar because
he and his housemate, Kerry Masters, average nearly a letter a week
devoted to trashing hunters, medical researchers and all meat
eaters.)
Cliches
"Bowers launched into a litany of anti-NRA cliches, virtually every
one of which is either a lie or a sensational misrepresentation.
"For example:
"--Bowers said the NRA defends the sale of cop-killer bullets.
"Fact: In the early '80's, the NRA opposed legislation that would
have banned the use of teflon-coated bullets, which can pierce
through bullet-proof vests. But the ambiguous legislation also would
have outlawed about 85% of the bullets commonly used for deer
hunting.
"In 1983, the NRA, working with law enforcement groups, supported
a bill that zeroed in on the issue by prohibiting the sale of teflon-
coated bullets to the public while allowing them to be used by law
officers.
"Nowadays, they're called 'cop-saver' bullets.
Plastic Guns
"--Bowers said the NRA defends the possession of plastic handguns
that don't trigger metal detectors.
"Fact: The so-called plastic gun issue came up several years ago
after Glock, an Austrian gun manufacturer, introduced a handgun that
incorporated plastic in its metal construction. The media dubbed it
the terrorist's gun of choice, claiming it could not be detected in
airline security systems.
"The gun, however, has plenty of metal to be detected.
"The NRA opposed legislation to ban the Glock, but supported
legislation that specifically prohibits the sale of firearms capable
of evading airport security systems.
Armed Felons
"--Bowers said the NRA fought to allow convicted felons to apply
to the government to rearm themselves.
"Fact: On May 5, 1992, the NRA testified before a U.S. Senate
subcommittee that it supported laws that deny restoration of firearms
rights to felons, especially in cases where guns are used in crimes
involving drugs or violence.
"However, the NRA suggested that the law provide some avenue to
review applications, considering that the definition of a felon
differs from state to state.
"--Bowers said the NRA promotes contest killing of wildlife, such
as prairie dog shoots.
"Fact: Wilflife biologists have promoted the shooting of prairie
dogs in some areas to help control the growth of prairie dog towns
without wiping them out.
"Previously, pairie dogs were controlled with non-discriminating
poisons that killed everything from ravens and eaglkes to snakes and
ferrets."
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The preceeding was transcribed from The New GUN WEEK for Friday,
February 19, 1993, page 7, in accordance with GW's standard reprint
permission clause.
All contents Copyright (c) 1993 by Second Amendment Foundation,
Buffalo, NY 14209. SAF is a non-profit, tax-exempt, educational,
literary research and publishing organization.
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Transcriber: Lee Knoper / Tucson, AZ