David Gregory, of NBC, is one of those folks who wants to prohibit not merely criminal acts, but also objects and products that can be used as aids in some of those acts.
It’s not an uncommon attitude. I know conservatives who want to prohibit smoking utensils such as bongs, because their main use tends overwhelmingly to be for smoking illegal substances. To find someone in the “main stream media” supporting a similar ban on objects — such as certain guns and types of ammunition — is hardly surprising.
On Meet the Press, December 23, Gregory interviewed the head of the NRA, pressing the spokesman to concede, “if it’s possible to reduce the loss of life, you’re up for trying it.” The man took the bait. Then Gregory switched the topic away from the NRA’s notion of placing armed guards in every school to . . .
Well, Gregory retrieved and held aloft a “magazine for ammunition that carries 30 bullets.” He hazarded that prohibiting such devices, leaving legal only smaller-sized magazines, might reduce loss of life.
“Loss-of-life reduction,” though, proves to be not much of a standard. There are many ways to reduce crime: imprison everyone in a criminal risk category, without trial, might do that very well. Perish that thought, though.
Many other innovations might seem plausible, as well, but nevertheless unleash counterproductive side effects.
What’s interesting about this case, though, is that Gregory held up a magazine that turns out to be illegal in Washington, DC, where Meet the Press is shot.
His “crime” is now under investigation.
I’m conflicted: On the one hand, he did nothing wrong. On the other hand, he supports such unprincipled laws, so . . . book him.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
6 replies on “Magazine Misfire”
Paul, it would be good to have Mr. Gregory prosecuted. He would then learn that it is not the objects, or their possession, which is the real issue. It is their improper use.
He will be the victim of his own faulty logic, which would be laudable and might even teach him a lesson.
However, I will bet, the exercise of the prosecutor’s discretion will keep him from ever being charged. He is not one of the “bad guys” the law is “meant” to be applied against.
Do we understand the concept of thought crime yet?
Paul, I don’t care if he supports laws like that or not. He broke it, it should be enforced without fear or favor. If that won’t be done, remove it.
The delicious part of this is that, if Washington DC can flout the 2nd Amendment at a local level, then it serves as precedent for all the states in the entire rest of the coutnry to take the same stance to Obamacare, ie render it illegal and unenforcable locally. And then it is just a hop, skip and a jump for the states to take issue with the massive use of federal funds for an issue that so obviously does not promote the “general welfare”.
Paul,
I’m not conflicted at all about Gregory… he’s simply another “bought” MSM talking head.
Do you suppose people like Gregory ever have a conflicted thought, when, indeed, the very way they live is one contradiction?
How can you say David Gregory did ‘nothing wrong’? He had in his possession an item that was banned in the district. He may not have had any ill intent, but he still broke the law. I’ve heard the item he displayed on television is banned in the district, whether or not it contains ammunition or is attached to a weapon. He broke the law. Admit it. You know that Gregory and his NBC colleagues would be crowing if anything similar had happened on Fox News Sunday. Sauce for the goose…
This just pointd out what useful idiots the media conglomerates will hire as opinionators er – reporters.If this jackass had conducted the interview at NRA HQ in Virginia, no one would be jawing on about this. I’m not an expert, but it is a possibility that the 30 round STANDARD CAPACITY magazine in question is not illegal in gun friendlier VA.