[SteelyNirvana]

I've about had it with there use of "assault rifle" such as in this story (http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4989906/ ) I just fired off a letter to them expressing my thoughts. I was wondering if anyone else here in NC would like to do the same. I've corrected them a time or two about them saying the wrong type of firearm or showing ammunition used in a crime, calling it one caliber when its the total opposite. So they might have changed the story by the time you get to it but it seems these "slip up's" keep happening. There website is wral.com and they have a "Contact Us" at the bottom of the page, I sent mine to the newsroom.


BTW: This was my first time contacting them about the use of the term, so I'm pasting a copy of what I sent them. How did I do for my first time?, Any suggestions?

Dear WRAL,

I would very much like you to quit using the term "assault rifle" when reporting the use of a firearm used in a crime. I am referring to such ones as this one (http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4989906/ ) The term "assault rifle" is often used by anti-gun politicians and the liberal, uneducated media. The correct term for one of these rifles is a semi-automatic carbine, or, you could just call them what they are such as an AK-47, AR-15 or SKS carbine, there are many others I could list. These type firearms operate no differently from any other firearm, they have no special features or alterations.

I would appreciate your prompt action in this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Brian Craig
-------, NC

[SteelyNirvana]

Their response that I received this afternoon:

Mr. Craig,
Thanks for the feedback. We were very careful to call the weapons as
described by police "assault-style" rather than just assault weapons.
The fact is, we don't know the specific type because police did not
release that information. They did describe the weapons in general,
which is the information we used.

I hope that helps. Thanks for reading WRAL.com!!

Jodi Leese Glusco
Managing Editor, WRAL.com

How should I go about this now? ask exactly where there getting there information from?

[turkeythigh]

thats a toughie. idont know what to tell you they were just repeating the information the police gave them... perhaps you should ask the police to start using the proper names and or phrases for these weapons.

[MT GUNNY]

How about a "Undisclosed Make and Model of Firearm"? That would be true Reporting!

[rbernie]

BC81 - how about writing to the Raeford Police Department?

Chief of Police - Mike Dummett
315 N Main St
Raeford, North Carolina 28376

Phone: (910)875-4251
Fax: (910)875-7266

They have a 'contact us' form here:

http://www.raefordcity.org/RC_ContactUs.php

[chuckusaret]

If they don't know what type weapon it was except that it was a long gun it should be called a rifle. But today it is hard to believe any of the stories the press releases.

[bombmaster]

Sent off my letter to the PD