ABC News interested in handgun use for self-defense

[psh]

[This could provide some much-needed balance to the usual anti-gun
hysteria seen on national TV. -- PSH]

===========================================

http://www.abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=3015150

"Gun Used In Self-Defense? Tell '20/20'!"

"April 6, 2007 — Have you ever defended yourself from a crime in your
home, in your business, or in public by using a gun? Perhaps you warded
off a potential attacker by simply showing a gun?

"40 states now allow their citizens to obtain conceal-carry permits for
handguns. Some people say that's dangerous, while others say it allows
them to protect themselves.

If you have a story of self-defense involving the aid of a gun and would
like to tell it to 20/20, please fill out the form below. A "20/20"
producer may contact you."

 

[Leanwolf]

WARNING!! Unless this is a segment of "20/20" that is to be hosted by John Stossel, be very, very careful what you say, IF you are interviewed.

ABC is and has been for many, many years, extremely anti-guns owned by us worker peasants. They can play all kinds of verbal and visual games at a tape/digital editing board with your statements.

IF you are interviewed, I strongly suggest you either tape record the entire interview, or, video it so you have a record of exactly what you said.

Just my suggestion.

L.W.

 

[Soybomb]

Well they've already gotten their facts wrong too....40 states 'eh...

 

[BIGR]

I wouldn't trust ABC News to report on why cow shi% hits the ground much less anything truthful about guns. They are so anti gun, as most of the media is, its pathetic.

 

[LeoC]

I don't see how this could turn out well... ABC is going to end up with an anti-gun story no matter how this happens.

A- people with self-defense stories come forward, ABC twists interviews to make them look dangerous

B- people with self-defense stories do not come forward for fear of A, ABC news concludes that guns aren't needed since nobody really needs to use them for self defense

It's a setup from the beginning :banghead:

 

[TexasRifleman]

It's a setup from the beginning

I filled out the form, but if they happen to contact me (doubtful, mine is a boring story where no one gets shot) I wouldn't talk to anyone unless I had something in writing that it was for a John Stossel segment.

 

[Titan6]

I would not trust ABC news to report that the little guy is banging his head against a wall:banghead:

 

[Gordon Fink]

Doesn’t John Stossel call the shots on 20/20 now?

~G. Fink

 

[Cosmoline]

Unless you get to stand over their shoulder in the editing room, I wouldn't suggest agreeing to this.

 

[mike101]

John Stossel

Is John pro-gun? I had no idea. Any examples of him saying anything pro 2A?

I once had to correct Peter Jennings (who I liked a lot, despite his being an anti) when he did a report about an assault rifle ban. Of course, during the story, they showed a clip of someone firing a REAL assault rifle, in full auto mode. To his credit, he did clarify the matter, 1st thing the following evening.

 

[PaladinX13]

6min 20/20 excerpt, Stossel on guns:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR9RN_iSKtg

 

[MikePGS]

Stoseel is extremely pro gun. I'd guess that this is something for him... but as always you should make sure of what your getting into before signing anything.

 

[psh]

Stossel has also written a good article entitled, "Myths About Gun Control":

http://realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-10_19_05_JS.html

He covers some of the basic facts about CCW and also debunks the myths about the US-vs.-Miller Supreme Court case.

 

[Art Eatman]

Well, how's this for a bit of a different story?

"I've been familiar with various sorts of firearms since 1941. I started out as all kids do, with a .22 rifle. I graduated to centerfire, and then pistols and shotguns. In the Army I learned about 50-caliber machine guns and 40mm cannon. I have been and am a reloader, shooter and hunter.

I began competition pistol shooting with the International Practical Shooting Confederation folks in 1981. I commonly shot some 400 rounds per week of practice. Matches involve drawing from a holster and firing, "going against the clock". Scoring involves both the hits and the minimum elapsed time for a run. I was no champion, but I did well enough.

I moved to Terlingua, Texas, in 1983, buying a hundred acres or so. I continued my IPSC-style of pistol shooting, with my own range at my house. My neighbors were aware of this activity. Some came out and did some shooting of their own. My skills with firearms became fairly well known within the small community.

My next door neighbors were an aunt and uncle of Pablo Acosta*, the "Drug Lord" of Ojinaga, Mexico, as biographed by Terrence Pappa. Manuel and Chata had their own drug-smuggling operation. The overall "family" numbered well over a hundred people, up and down the Rio Grande in this area.

I publicized the smuggling route and pattern of Manuel and Chata, which did not endear me to them. They would scowl at me; I would smile in return. There was a fair amount of feedback gossip that I could possibly be in danger.

I've always believed that the public knowledge of my skills with firearms was an inhibiting factor against any serious effort at retribution toward me. The only action they ever took was for one of their kids to throw a couple of dead rabbits in my water well. The problem--if any--came to a close with the arrest of Manuel Acosta for his part in a 3,300-pound marijuana deal, and Chata's subsequent move back across the river to Mexico.

So I never had to shoot or threaten or display--but the knowledge that I would not be a helpless victim played its part."

I'm not sure I really want to send it in, though.

Art

* http://www.druglord.com/

I never met Pablo, but his cousins Adama and Trini were great guys to party with. Trini never seemed particularly upset at how I'd messed with Manuel and Chata. Just as well; he'd have been a handful to deal with.

 

[mike101]

Go Stossel! If we could only think of a way to get Stossel and Rosie together on the same show. They both work for ABC. I'd even watch The View to see that.

 

[Damien45]

I sumbitted one. A borring one (to most) but a good example of gun use to avoid a crime. No shots fired, and no crime committed.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

guys dont worry. Stossel wont let anyone else do this story.

Stossel is a long time libertarian (the 'heartless' type) so you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Doggieman]

Now all we need are 50 more John Stossels.

 

[Knotthead]

Art, I think you should send your story in anyway. Nobody said you had to submit to being interviewed, and the more stories they get the more likely they are to present a favorable piece, or at least something that will not demonize the community. Plus, it is an excellent example of the deterence factor of having a gun for self defense. This is too often downplayed or ignored by the media.

 

[mike101]

Art

Knotthead has a pretty good idea there, especially since you didn't even have to shoot anyone.

 

[vito]

I wonder if I should contact ABC about the time my gun jumped out of my underwear drawer, chased an intruder down the street and then returned home. We all know it is the GUN that is the potential problem, not the person who owns the gun.

 

[hoji]

The people who need really send in their stories are:

1. Women who have defended themselves against exes{ preferrably ones who have violated restraining orders}
2. Elderly people

3. Disabled people, basicly anyone who would not have been able to defend themselves otherwise.

We do not need 300 pound bubbas, or ex military superjocks to tell their tales of " I fought off 5 muggers".

It would also be better if the story ends with no shots being fired.

Has anyone linked this story to the NRA? It might be something they could help with{ as opposed to their "help" with Parker}

 

[Car Knocker]

Has anyone linked this story to the NRA? It might be something they could help with

NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 14, No. 14, 4/6/07:

ABC'S "20/20" SEEKING "ARMED CITIZEN" STORIES: Gun ban groups often claim that private citizens rarely, if ever, use guns in self-defense. ABC News' "20/20" is now putting that claim to the test, asking viewers to submit their own real-life "Armed Citizen" stories.

http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=2853

Friday, April 06, 2007

Gun ban groups often claim that private citizens rarely, if ever, use guns in self-defense. ABC News’ "20/20" is now putting that claim to the test, asking viewers to submit their own real-life "Armed Citizen" stories. ABC’s website asks:

Have you ever defended yourself from a crime in your home, in your business, or in public by using a gun? Perhaps you warded off a potential attacker by simply showing a gun?

If you’ve personally used a gun in a legitimate act of self-protection against a criminal attacker, we encourage you to tell your story to ABC News. To tell your story, go to http://www.abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=3015150 and complete their web form.

And to ensure that we at NRA know how many responses ABC gets, please send us a copy of your story by e-mailing [email protected]. You can also call NRA Public Affairs at (703) 267-1193.