Just in case you haven't had your fill of media ignorance on firearms technology, I offer this one. It's part of a live blog from The Guardian (of England) of Senator Feinstein's hearing on her bill to ban assaultish-looking weapons.
A Dr. Begg is testifying about his dismay as he tried to treat Newtown victims. Then:
Begg presents a horrible video in which a ballistics expert demonstrates what a bullet from an AR-15 can do. The expert in the video shoots a block of gelatin-like material – flesh-like material – with a .22 rifle. Then he shoots one with an AR-15. The .22 bullet passes cleanly through. The AR-15 bullet goes in and then explodes.
It's certainly possible to compact more ignorance into a short paragraph, but most writers would be hard-pressed.
It would probably do no good to set this reporter down and explain, slowly, in short words, that a video illustrating a point of physics with ballistics gel is neutral rather than "horrible." Now, if it used a Fleet Street reporter to demonstrate the same point, that would be "horrible." Wouldn't it? Well, uhhhh...
Never mind his conflation of bullet diameter with terminal ballistics. We could just send him a telegram stating "An AR-15 is almost always a .22 rifle." Maybe that would send him to a library where he would occupy himself in close study of Guns for Dummies -- and looking in vain for evidence that criminals typically use bullet which "explode."
But to end on a positive note, he appears to have done a thorough and professional job of informing his reading public about who cried and at what level of intensity.
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Title credit to Edwin Newman in Strictly Speaking
Mar 5, 2013
Mar 4, 2013
Out-of-Ammo Only Ones
I'm trying to work up some schadenfreude about this, because, like all proper Americans, I'm slightly suspicious of cops. It may be a genetic imprint from our immigrant ancestors who turned their back on the Old World police states.
It's hard, however, to get too giggly about a cop without a cartridge. Somebody has to watch out for bad guys, so a well-watched, well-trained, and well-controlled police force is a useful thing. And if we're going to give them guns and live ammo, we damned well better make sure they know what they're doing when they whip out their Glocks.
The ammunition shortage is forcing cop training officers to count rounds. So it is time to assign blame -- military needs, of course, but perhaps mostly you and me.
As possible federal gun control legislation aims to keep assault rifles out of the hands of enthusiasts, the rifles and their ammunition have skyrocketed in value. Gun owners trying to scoop up all the ammunition they can before a ban takes effect have driven up costs while diminishing supply.
Sorry about that, Chief. But not very. I know your PR guy keeps saying that you're my first line of defense against evil, but I tend to think that's bull; I am. So while the supply remains tight I suggest an equitable solution: One for you, ten for me, one for you, 20 for me...
It's hard, however, to get too giggly about a cop without a cartridge. Somebody has to watch out for bad guys, so a well-watched, well-trained, and well-controlled police force is a useful thing. And if we're going to give them guns and live ammo, we damned well better make sure they know what they're doing when they whip out their Glocks.
The ammunition shortage is forcing cop training officers to count rounds. So it is time to assign blame -- military needs, of course, but perhaps mostly you and me.
As possible federal gun control legislation aims to keep assault rifles out of the hands of enthusiasts, the rifles and their ammunition have skyrocketed in value. Gun owners trying to scoop up all the ammunition they can before a ban takes effect have driven up costs while diminishing supply.
Sorry about that, Chief. But not very. I know your PR guy keeps saying that you're my first line of defense against evil, but I tend to think that's bull; I am. So while the supply remains tight I suggest an equitable solution: One for you, ten for me, one for you, 20 for me...
Mar 3, 2013
Brother Can You Spare $28,999?
Plus S and H. Plus NFA fees.
What red-blooded American boy can endure life without a Colt 1928/21 Thompson submachine gun as used by the United States Navy?
Why, I remember when MM1/C Homan and I carried them on missions off the San Pablo and threw terror into the hearts of Yangtze River bandits and warlords alike.
I'd have to spend more time in the loading shack, but I can live with that.
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Link fixed
What red-blooded American boy can endure life without a Colt 1928/21 Thompson submachine gun as used by the United States Navy?
Why, I remember when MM1/C Homan and I carried them on missions off the San Pablo and threw terror into the hearts of Yangtze River bandits and warlords alike.
I'd have to spend more time in the loading shack, but I can live with that.
---
Link fixed
Besides, Elaine Chou is cute
As my campaign for the presidency heats up, I wish to make one thing perfectly clear. I do not hate Elaine Chou because she is racially a Chinese person.
For that matter, I don't hate her at all. If I did, however, it would be because she served a term as boss of the Labor Department without abolishing it as the Teamer Administration pledges to do.
(This little brouhaha may be part of a vast right-wing media conspiracy because, as is well-known, the American left despises racist comments and hasn't uttered one since late March of 1964.)
For that matter, I don't hate her at all. If I did, however, it would be because she served a term as boss of the Labor Department without abolishing it as the Teamer Administration pledges to do.
(This little brouhaha may be part of a vast right-wing media conspiracy because, as is well-known, the American left despises racist comments and hasn't uttered one since late March of 1964.)
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