Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Deflection: A Primary Tool For Left-Leaning Media

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Deflection: A Primary Tool For Left-Leaning Media

What do you do when your ideas stink, your message has been debunked and there is a negligible return on your investment in the gun control agenda?

For anti-gun Democrats facing this dire situation, the answer is to deflect. Leftists and their allies utilize stories that titillate and joust for attention to keep Americans focused away from any good news. So much bad information presented all of the time means that we are less likely to scrutinize what is written for accuracy or bias. In fact, study after study shows that readers seek information sources that confirm what they already believe. In light of this, it is of the utmost importance that media, the so-called Fourth Estate, hold itself to the highest of journalistic standards in all reporting—online, in print and on television.

Someone has not yet gotten the memo, because The Washington Post is at it again, this time attempting to create a connection between a Missouri radio shock jock and the senseless shooting of Republican Congressmen at a baseball field in Alexandria, Va. As Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., fights for his life, recently returning to the intensive care unit for more surgery to deal with infection, Peter Holley has undertaken the herculean task of connecting openly left-wing shooter and Bernie Sanders supporter James T. Hodgkinson to the so-called right-wing political world.

So, what would trigger a writer at The Washington Post to make such a wildly inaccurate and easily disprovable assertion? Because deflecting to gun control didn’t work. When news of the shooting hit the media, a few offered up the same tired and ineffective gun control talking points: Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe even struck out with, “93 million Americans a day are killed by guns!” He later corrected himself, but thankfully the gaffe was enough to negate his entire statement. Other gun control activists tried to pile on but were summarily dismissed when it was pointed out that Capitol Police officers used guns to stop the rampage, taking fire themselves while saving countless lives in the process.

Considering the level of demagoguery constantly dumped upon gun owners, NRA members and anyone who supports the Constitution, perhaps we should come to expect this level of poor reporting. But what is driving it? Could it be the successes that President Donald Trump has created for Americans? So far, the president has reconstructed and repaired the bonds with our allies in Saudi Arabia and Israel, while demanding that NATO members get up to speed on their financial obligations. President Trump is utilizing strong language to deter illegals from entering our southern border, lowering illegal entries by 70 percent and saving American taxpayers untold millions of dollars in the bargain. The appointment of Justice Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court has already yielded beneficial rulings that hew to a strict constitutional line. The president also pushed the Keystone pipeline through, and has signaled to businesses at home and abroad that America is open for business once again. The market has responded accordingly.

The president also spoke in person to the National Rifle Association's Annual Meetings in Atlanta, assuring members and gun owners that he will never permit the Second Amendment to be infringed. These developments, many of which satisfy campaign promises, should be covered in full by the media. Yet they are largely ignored.

There is one other possible reason for the obsessive deflection—the fear of what is happening silently, legally all over America. More people than ever are buying firearms and getting trained and certified to carry concealed firearms for defense of themselves and others. The latest report puts that number at more than 14.5 million—up substantially over the last few years. Add to that the knowledge that under a Trump administration, there is a serious possibility that national Right-to-Carry reciprocity could become the law of the land. Adding further insult to injury for gun-grabbing leftists is the normalization of America’s love of safety through gun ownership.

Yup. Deflection is the tool of choice for leftists—what else have they got? 

BY Stacy Washington

Stacy Washington is a decorated Air Force veteran, Emmy-nominated TV personality and host of nationally syndicated radio program “Stacy on the Right,” based in St. Louis. She loves God, guns, and is a member of the NRA, obviously.

TRENDING NOW
NRA Scores Legal Victory Against ATF; “Pistol Brace Rule” Enjoined From Going Into Effect Against NRA Members

Monday, April 1, 2024

NRA Scores Legal Victory Against ATF; “Pistol Brace Rule” Enjoined From Going Into Effect Against NRA Members

NRA Members Among the Largest Class Protected from Draconian Rule

ATF Skirts Legal Formalities and Springs Another Gun Control Rule on the American People

News  

Monday, April 22, 2024

ATF Skirts Legal Formalities and Springs Another Gun Control Rule on the American People

On Friday, ATF provided the unpleasant surprise of yet another rulemaking to implement the noxious Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). 

Colorado: Gun Control Bills Pass House After Weekend Votes

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Colorado: Gun Control Bills Pass House After Weekend Votes

After holding late-night votes until close to midnight on Saturday, April 20th, the Colorado House passed three anti-gun bills on their third reading, including liability insurance mandates, an 11% excise tax, and a state-level permitting systems for FFL's. 

With a Stroke of the Pen, Biden ATF Criminalizes Tens of Thousands of Private Firearm Sellers

News  

Friday, April 12, 2024

With a Stroke of the Pen, Biden ATF Criminalizes Tens of Thousands of Private Firearm Sellers

We have long been warning of the rule the Biden ATF has been preparing to redefine who is considered a firearm “dealer” under U.S. law.  The administration’s explicit objective was to move as close to so-called “universal background ...

“Unquestionably in Common Use Today” – Study Confirms National Standard for Detachable Magazine Capacity is Over Ten Rounds

News  

Monday, April 22, 2024

“Unquestionably in Common Use Today” – Study Confirms National Standard for Detachable Magazine Capacity is Over Ten Rounds

Along with “assault weapon” bans, so-called “high capacity” magazine restrictions are a cornerstone of modern gun control.

NRA Scores Legal Victory in Dispute with DC Attorney General

News  

Thursday, April 18, 2024

NRA Scores Legal Victory in Dispute with DC Attorney General

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) has announced a legal victory in a high-profile governance matter brought by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (DCAG).

Tennessee: Governor Lee Signs Legislation Protecting Financial Privacy of Gun Owners

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Tennessee: Governor Lee Signs Legislation Protecting Financial Privacy of Gun Owners

Yesterday, Governor Bill Lee signed SB 2223/HB 2762, legislation that provides important financial privacy protections for gun owners when purchasing firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition. NRA would like to thank Governor Lee for signing this critical piece ...

Iowa: Governor Reynolds Signs Two Pro-Gun Bills into Law

Monday, April 22, 2024

Iowa: Governor Reynolds Signs Two Pro-Gun Bills into Law

On Friday April 19th, Governor Kim Reynolds signed House File 2586 and House File 2464 into law. The NRA would like to thank Governor Reynolds and the supporters in the Iowa legislature for their continued commitment to ...

Nevada Supreme Court Upholds “Ghost Gun” Regulations

Monday, April 22, 2024

Nevada Supreme Court Upholds “Ghost Gun” Regulations

The Supreme Court of Nevada upheld Nevada’s regulations on so-called “ghost guns” in Sisolak v. Polymer80, holding that the statutes are not unconstitutionally vague.

Colorado: Mandatory Vehicle Storage and Training Requirements On The Move!

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Colorado: Mandatory Vehicle Storage and Training Requirements On The Move!

On Monday, April 22nd, the Colorado Senate passed two anti-gun bills, HB 24-1348 (mandatory vehicle storage) and HB 24-1174 (increased training requirements for concealed carry permits).

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.