So what do we do about it? I have always held Jennifer Griffen's opinions on Fox with regard, and had never heard her express any opinions about guns at all. I especially remember when she was their overseas reporter that her voice was one I would listen to. But yesterday, in 15 short seconds, I lost every bit of respect I ever held for her when I heard her say that the AR-15 is the civilian version of the M-16 and fired 3 round bursts....the implication being that 3 round burst AR-15's are the normal "civilian" versions in the hands of everyone who owns an AR. Seriously?
I understand that most of these people would not know the difference between a Purdy and an SKS, but why would anyone allow their name to be associated with such blatantly WRONG info put out as fact? You put your stamp on that statement, Jennifer...you own it forever. I was glad this morning to hear Bill Hemmer going off about the non-existent AR that had been reported so widely as fact, though. Seems to me that Fox, among the others, needs an on staff or contract 'expert' to handle these kinds of facts when things like this occur. Maybe a high profile type like Colin Noir or Cody Donaldson who come across well to the general uninformed public. I see a huge opportunity here with upside in several directions.
I remember as a very small kid watching a documentary called "The Guns of Autumn" with my father....narrated by none other than an up and coming Dan Rather. My dad was a WW2 vet who had seen quite a bit of the downside of humanity and rarely let himself get animated. I will never remember his quiet anger as he explained to me what was going on, and how I would fight this battle all of my life if I chose to pursue firearms as a hobby. As things turned out, I made a living for 30 years with them, but I have never given so much as a single moments credence to any statement that came out of Dan Rathers mouth from that evening on. Jennifer, you are in that category now. Enjoy the company!