TV print and video report: http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/2008/06/28/20080628gunbuyback06282008-CR.html
I was joined by Alan Korwin and a few members of [email protected] listserve members as well as a couple from www.ArizonaShooting.com .
We randomly happened to meet at the Phx PD precinct at Southern and 7th Ave. There we yakked with about eight police officers who were earning some OT manning the table. None expressed any positive opinion on the gun buy back. We did bump into anti-gun Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon who agreed to pose for this cheery photo surrounded by we RKBA enthusiasts. By the looks of it, he has the gun vote all sewed up.
The radio cross-talk on the PD network showed that the hot sites were a few blocks east of us at two local baptist churches. We headed down there and randomly split up. There we talked to the pastor and another eight Phx PD earning OT. Hmmm. Five sites times eight cops = 40 cops on OT. All for something that doesn't do a whit to reduce crime.
Here is a lower-ranking LEO going out to intercept a person in an attempt to keep us from wheeling and dealing.
We headed back to the Phx PD precinct to get more cars so we could further split up. Open our arrival we saw Univision and Channel 12 TV arrive. We chatted with Univision to give our side of the story and I did an interview with Channel 12's cutie reporter, Melissa Gonzales:
The randomly assembled crowd of gunnies came there for differing reasons. Some came to get deals on guns and sell some junk they picked up for $20. The Public Information Officer lied when he said there were no crappy guns. They were legion. Rust-covered shotguns, thrashed .22 rifles. 100-year old revolvers. Others were there to chronicle the event.
I was there to see how the operation was run, talk to rank-n-file police (most there thought it was a waste of time but were glad to be earning the over-time) and talk to and educate the reporters that came along.
If I hadn't volunteered to be interviewed, there would not have been "an alternative opinion." As usual, the editor/producer hacked into the story picked what was felt to be my juiciest statement (they're always looking for conflict, and simple A to B logic). Something more complicated won't get on. While "I don't think any gang bangers will be turning in guns" is a good line, it's not the issue that got my panties in a bunch.
My best argument was an A to B to C, "Can [Mayor Gordon and the Phx PD] show data that suggests that this would reduce crime? If yes, they should invest the resources to do this every day not just once a year. If not, how can they justify the use of Eight officers in each of five locations (40 total) each earning over-time? This is a political operation by people who've lost their bearings. If this is the best they can do, perhaps we need better leadership. Maybe this shows that they could handle a budget reduction in these tough economic times."
Yeah, too verbose. But my intention was more to educate the Melissa (a real sweetie-pie, by the way) than to get on telebishion. We invited Melissa to shoot at Ben Avery range. That's an almost guarantee that she'll get it aired (the girl with gun thing arouses many producers in the news room), and she'll learn something. The offer is still good, Melissa.
I was joined by Alan Korwin and a few members of [email protected] listserve members as well as a couple from www.ArizonaShooting.com .
We randomly happened to meet at the Phx PD precinct at Southern and 7th Ave. There we yakked with about eight police officers who were earning some OT manning the table. None expressed any positive opinion on the gun buy back. We did bump into anti-gun Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon who agreed to pose for this cheery photo surrounded by we RKBA enthusiasts. By the looks of it, he has the gun vote all sewed up.
The radio cross-talk on the PD network showed that the hot sites were a few blocks east of us at two local baptist churches. We headed down there and randomly split up. There we talked to the pastor and another eight Phx PD earning OT. Hmmm. Five sites times eight cops = 40 cops on OT. All for something that doesn't do a whit to reduce crime.
Here is a lower-ranking LEO going out to intercept a person in an attempt to keep us from wheeling and dealing.
We headed back to the Phx PD precinct to get more cars so we could further split up. Open our arrival we saw Univision and Channel 12 TV arrive. We chatted with Univision to give our side of the story and I did an interview with Channel 12's cutie reporter, Melissa Gonzales:
The randomly assembled crowd of gunnies came there for differing reasons. Some came to get deals on guns and sell some junk they picked up for $20. The Public Information Officer lied when he said there were no crappy guns. They were legion. Rust-covered shotguns, thrashed .22 rifles. 100-year old revolvers. Others were there to chronicle the event.
I was there to see how the operation was run, talk to rank-n-file police (most there thought it was a waste of time but were glad to be earning the over-time) and talk to and educate the reporters that came along.
If I hadn't volunteered to be interviewed, there would not have been "an alternative opinion." As usual, the editor/producer hacked into the story picked what was felt to be my juiciest statement (they're always looking for conflict, and simple A to B logic). Something more complicated won't get on. While "I don't think any gang bangers will be turning in guns" is a good line, it's not the issue that got my panties in a bunch.
My best argument was an A to B to C, "Can [Mayor Gordon and the Phx PD] show data that suggests that this would reduce crime? If yes, they should invest the resources to do this every day not just once a year. If not, how can they justify the use of Eight officers in each of five locations (40 total) each earning over-time? This is a political operation by people who've lost their bearings. If this is the best they can do, perhaps we need better leadership. Maybe this shows that they could handle a budget reduction in these tough economic times."
Yeah, too verbose. But my intention was more to educate the Melissa (a real sweetie-pie, by the way) than to get on telebishion. We invited Melissa to shoot at Ben Avery range. That's an almost guarantee that she'll get it aired (the girl with gun thing arouses many producers in the news room), and she'll learn something. The offer is still good, Melissa.
