Need Help Tracking Anti-Gun TV Shows

[Guntalk]

Okay, there is something going on.

Of course, we have Runaway Jury, the movie which changed the book plot from a lawsuit against the tobacco industry, to a lawsuit against gun makers.

Then, last night, on "Lion's Den," we have a plot of suiing gun makers.

I don't believe in coincidence. I do remember something going around the anti-gun crowd with the groups "reaching out" to Hollywood and TV to get them to include this kind of thing in their scripts.

So . . . I ask THR members to begin compiling the instances of movie and TV plots involving suiing gun makers and (we shall see much of this) those evil "assault weapons" and the sunset of the Clinton Gun Ban.

Can we just add to this thread when anyone sees another show with a plot that looks as though it came out of the Handgun Control Screen Writer's Handbook?

 

[TrapperReady]

Wouldn't it be a lot easier to track the pro-gun shows?

I could probably keep track of them with the fingers on one hand.

 

[Zer000]

I almost died when the gangbanger said that Browning made a ".357 ACP with almost no recoil". It would have been hilarious if it wasn't so annoying.

 

[cordex]

Actually Trapper, I think that's a good idea.

Instances of obviously pro-gun usage should be recorded in addition to the anti-gun usages (though you and I know that there will be an obvious disparity). Easy to prove a bias if all you find is what you look for, eh? Balanced approach is better.

 

[Doug444]

I knew I didn't like that character even BEFORE I saw last night's episode. I was even more disappointed by the (seemingly) rapid offer of big $$ by the "Browning Munitions"scrutiny: ) attourney. I had so had hopes for this show. Same old crap.

Doug444

 

[spacemanspiff]

a couple weeks ago my landlord and i went to a gunshow. among the various things he bought was a stack of old magazines from the NRA, "Armed American" i think is the name of them.
i was looking through one, back from 1966 iirc, and they had an article about this very subject. they suggested that viewers have a stopwatch on hand and time the amount of anti-propoganda aired and compare it to the amount of unbiased airtime.
then, put the data together and write the networks about it. complain about how much time is spent saying 'guns are bad and evil' and all that other emotional nonsense and push for them to promote responsible gun ownership.

kinda funny (and sad) that now, nearly 40 years later, were still having to do the same damn thing.

 

[TonyB]

357ACP????i WISH....
Law and Order sometimes has anti-gun leanings....that's why Michael Moriarty left the show,it was too liberal.Once on the show someone had a 25mm pocket pistol....................wouldn't that be like the size of a mortar???
Pro=gun shows would be few and far between........There is less and less shows I can watch lately..........hopefully King of Queens won't have Doug joining Handgun Control too soon...

 

[Sunray]

"... the groups "reaching out" to Hollywood..." No 'reaching out' involved. Hollywood is as anti-firearm as any business gets. They don't need any prodding. However, timing it and making a list of offensive programs won't help. Make a list of the advertisers and send them a letter of complaint about the show they sponsor being biased or whatever you want to say. Tell 'em you won't buy their product for that reason.
"...Michael Moriarty left the show, it was too liberal..." Nope. He moved to Canada because he disliked Clinton intensely. Can't imagine why he thought our twit is any better. Saw him on some local talk show and that's what he said. He didn't like Clinton so he left.

 

[Guntalk]

Why Track the Anti-Gun Shows

I'm not trying to get the shows to stop running anti-gun plots.

I'm not even trying to contact the advertisers.

I do, however, want to be able to document the shows which are alterning their programming as a result of being contacted by anti-gun groups.

I write a column for Guns & Ammo magazine called "Guns In The Media," where I try to document this kind of thing, and, when possible, describe how to combat it.

Remember that the general public doesn't know anything about the subject, and when it is delivered as fact that gun makers and shooters are monsters, that rubs off, a little. Run that theme 50 times, and it moves public opinion.

The Clinton Gun Ban is set to sunset next September. It will be a HUGE fight in public. Expect to see a lot of TV on this. The lies will flow like ball powder.

On the radio show, I'll also keep telling listeners what the TV producers are doing. I just can't catch all the shows.

 

[gun-fucious]

Propaganda for dollars
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2000/01/14/payola/index.html

When the White House and the TV networks got together to put anti-drug messages in prime-time television, were they breaking the law?
By Daniel Forbes

Jan. 14, 2000 | Has the federal government embarked on an illegal payola scam with the nation's television networks? And has the nation's drug czar blown smoke at Congress to escape ongoing congressional oversight?

A Salon exclusive published Thursday described a hidden government campaign to insert anti-drug messages into TV programs. The arrangement was concocted by the office of the nation's drug czar, Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, and its ad buyer and was carried out by the six networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, the WB, Fox, and, this TV season, UPN.

As disclosed Thursday, the scheme began in fiscal year 1998, when Congress appropriated nearly $200 million a year over five years for paid anti-drug advertising. But there was a catch: Congress said the networks had to give the government a two-for-one deal on the ads. Instead, the networks and government officials decided that anti-drug themes and stories in prime-time TV shows could take the place of the free ads. Ultimately, promulgating government-approved propaganda afforded the networks the opportunity to earn buckets of extra cash.

The arrangement raises legal questions. Some observers think the government may have run afoul of the nation's anti-payola regulations. Payola entered public consciousness during the 1950s, when rock 'n' roll impresarios were convicted of bribery for paying DJs and radio stations to play specific records.

The payola laws that followed require broadcasters to reveal any financial considerations, direct or indirect, that yield on-air exposure. Today, in the arrangement uncovered by Salon, the networks are earning millions in financial incentives from the government in exchange for inserting anti-drug plots in TV shows.

Is the practice illegal? Perhaps.


continues...

 

[earl_simmons]

I don't think the abundance of anti-gunowner material in television shows and movies indicates a conspiracy on its own. It is more likely a combination of the general liberal nature of Hollywood and a lack of originality among writers and producers.

 

[gun-fucious]

back in the TFL daze i encountered a website that assisted screen writers in adding anti gun content

i searched TFL but have yet to re encounter the URL

it was an online newsletter for writers and social agenda promotion

 

[gun-fucious]

getting close:
http://www.wgaeast.org/news/industry/2003/07/11/humwin/index1.html

Children's Animation Category ($10,000)
"Jimmy," STATIC SHOCK
Teleplay by Dwayne McDuffie, Story by: Alan Burnett and Dwayne McDuffie (WB)
The teenage super hero Static discovers that even his super-powers can not protect those close to him from gun violence. Cited for "condemnation of the use of guns and violence to solve problems."

 

[gun-fucious]

more surf:
http://www.packing.org/news/article.jsp/2494/

http://slate.msn.com/id/30668/

http://cgi.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/time/1999/06/14/showbiz.html

Today, said Dr._ Martin Kaplan, associate dean of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California, lobbyists for causes like environmentalism and gun control "spend time going from show to show saying, `I've got some fabulous material you might like to use.' "
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1134/a09.html?117

The TCC Board identifies the issues which will be the focus of TCC's efforts for one year. TCC has become an important and vocal advocate on issues as diverse as arts advocacy, First Amendment rights, campaign finance reform, the environment, gun control, youth outreach and education, health care reform and reproductive rights.

http://members.tripod.com/~Barbara_Robertson/silver/tcc.html

 

[Waitone]

Any time a movie or show is produced and animals of any type are on the set, a member of the ASPCA is Fido on the spot to make sure said animals are treated in a humane manner. Fact is, it is almost impossible to shoot a production without having the ASPCA's proofmark.

I have always thought it would be effective to set up a similar organization dedicated to the safe and truthful use of firearms. Provide writers a place to go for facts (that assumes they want to be bothered by facts) about technology and proper utilization. Also provide instruction on the safe use of firearms.

Yea, I know.

To your point have you check with Media Research Center and pitched your idea to them. At a minimum they could provide a pointer or two.

 

[twoblink]

Anything on ABC,NBC,CBS,CNN,Oxygen..

 

[Guntalk]

Thanks, gun-fucious. Very helpful links there.

 

[toro]

Well, MTV is the most ani-gun station I have ever seen. They promote lots of sex and then put down guns. I think they are by far the most inti-gun station on television. IMHO.


Mrs. Toro



_________________________________________________________
Psalm 45; 4-6
And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the Kings enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter.

 

[gun-fucious]

DING DING DING DING!!!!

http://eiconline.org/violence/

http://eiconline.org/violence/tipsheet1.html
Consider incorporating such real-life scenarios as:

* The shooter or possessor of a gun being accidently injured by it.
* A gun accidentally misfiring while being loaded or unloaded by a criminal or other user.
* A gun misfiring and injuring someone after being accidentally dropped.

Consider the story potential that may exist in a family filing suit against a gun manufacturer for injuries or death sustained by a defective firearm that misfired.

Try emphasizing the fact that introducing a gun into an argument lethalizes anger: What could have been resolved with just harsh words, or even cuts and bruises, may end up with a death. Guns don't allow for cooling off or reconciling once the momentary or situational anger subsides.

Consider reflecting the reality that homeowners often freeze up or tremble so badly when trying to use a gun in self-defense that they are unable to deploy it. Or show them as being too frozen in fear to even get the gun.

Where appropriate to the story, consider portraying a teenage girl threatening to break up with her boyfriend unless he gets rid of his gun -- or a boy doing the same with a gun-owning girlfriend.

Explore depiction of legal prosecution or civil action taken against parents for negligently leaving a gun available to a child who then uses it to either intentionally or unintentionally harm themselves or others.

Attempt to provide a positive role model by showing parents making gun safety inquiries of other households where children visit, asking about storage, accessibility, and so on.

 

[gun-fucious]

http://eiconline.org/media/090503ladailynews.html

The first International Student Film Festival Hollywood wraps up Sunday with a screening of the soon-to-be-released drama "American Gun." The late James Coburn, in his final film, plays a father on a nationwide quest to trace the ownership of the gun that killed his daughter. "American Gun" received the first EDGE Award — entertainment depiction of gun education — from the Entertainment Industries Council. The screening is preceded by a closing ceremony.

Lookie whom the EIC is associated with:
http://www.jointogether.org/plugin.jtml?siteID=EIC&P=1

http://www.jointogether.org/gv/

Join Together is a project of
the Boston University School of Public Health.