Washington, DC — A report issued Jan. 2 by author and gun industry expert Tom Diaz shoots down NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre’s recent attack on violence in films and games.
Bloody Reel: How The National Rifle Association And The Gun Industry Exploit Violent Movies To Sell Guns...And More Guns, documents in detail how the National Rifle Association and the gun industry it represents have promoted the use of guns in movies and exploited many of the very movies LaPierre recently attacked as the cause of gun violence in America.
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On Friday, December 21, 2012 LaPierre, the National Rifle Association’s chief executive, blasted the movie industry in a press conference, pointing to what he called “blood-soaked films out there” and exclaiming, “Isn’t fantasizing about killing people as a way to get your kicks really the filthiest form of pornography?”
“If violent movies are filthy pornography, Wayne LaPierre is the king of filthy porno,” said Diaz, author of two books on the gun industry. “For over 10 years, the NRA—through its National Firearms Museum, its websites, and its media outlets—has glorified the use of guns in some of the most brutally violent films ever made. The gun industry the NRA represents exploits violent movies for one reason: to sell guns.”
Do you agree? Tell us in the comments section below.
Bloody Reel describes two special exhibits on Hollywood guns that the NRA has mounted at its National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, VA. The report also recounts how former movie critic Stephen Hunter – who wrote the introduction to the NRA brochure for its current exhibit, “Hollywood Guns” – dismissed the effects of violence in movies in his own book, and suggested that violent movies head off violence.
“Wayne LaPierre obviously never visits his own porno-packed museum,” Diaz said. “He also seems not to have a clue that of one his favorite scriveners has in the past scoffed at the violent-movies-make-them-do-it excuse the NRA is peddling as the cause of gun violence in America.”
Diaz is the author of the forthcoming The Last Gun: How Changes in the Gun Industry Are Killing Americans and What It Will Take to Stop It (The New Press, Spring 2013) and Making a Killing: The Business of Guns in America (The New Press, 1999).
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Tom Diaz is a lawyer, author, journalist, and was formerly Democratic Counsel to the Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice of the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. He worked for then-Rep. Charles E. Schumer. His principal brief covered issues related to terrorism and firearms.
Prior to his staff work for the Congress, Diaz studied and wrote about terrorism and transnational organized crime at the National Strategy Information Center in Washington, DC. Before joining NSIC, he was assistant managing editor for news for six years at The Washington Times newspaper, where his earlier beats as a reporter included the Supreme Court and national security matters.
Most recently Diaz was senior policy analyst at the Violence Policy Center, a non-profit, non-partisan public policy organization that studies the gun industry, its products, and their impact on crime, death, and injury in the United States.
If stopping death is really your goal there are bigger fish to fry then guns. Drowning, non-firearm murders, cars, accidental poisoning: all of these things kill more Americans annually then guns. You have no constitutional right to own a car, go after them. Or maybe just the "assault cars" That are able to drive over 65MPH, after all there is no need to drive faster then that, since that is the maximum speed limit in nearly every state. You know what doesn't reported? Guns that don't kill people... You know what doesn't show up in those statistics? Instances where a gun prevented a crime from occurring, without the need to fire a shot. If guns are evil killing machines why do Police Officers need them? Why do security guards need them? Because they have a deterrent effect, one that the framework of our government, supported by SCOTUS says that we have a right to. Because you don't like guns don't force your belief onto those of us who have done nothing wrong, and are exercising our constitutional right. I am not forcing you to own a gun because I do like them, I am not even forcing you to shoot a gun. You think that your emotions trump my RIGHTS.
The reference to "all males" is sexist, When the Supreme Court demonstrates a sexist viewpoint it is a time for a change. The reference to "physically capable" is equally questionable, how would that be interpreted? Even the current interpretation of the 2nd Amendment is out of step with equal rights. An interpretation that does not work within equal rights is suspect.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militia Honestly that is the weakest argument for anything that I have ever heard in my life, is that the best you can muster? Based on that weak argument I am going to assume that was an attempt to be anti-2nd Amendment. So you know what, I am going to apply the same twisting logic you applied. So now you are the one who is sexist and against the physically incapable, because you do not think that they should be able to defend themselves from a bigger stronger attacker. That you believe that we should go back to "might makes right." Nothing equalizes the playing field for those who are physically weaker then their attackers then a .357 Magnum Because you are against equal rights (to defend yourself) anything you say is suspect.
(1) The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm UNCONNECTED with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home. Pp. 2–53.
Please note that your reference to militia, the primary definition did not include gender. While they may not have been seeking to exclude anyone by that reference, their pointing to an all male militia in the past is poor judgement. It would only serve to indicate a preferences. Please don't think you can speak for me. You don't know me and so you don't know what I believe. As for my weak argument, if it's weak don't reply.
http://www.abc12.com/story/20497348/teen-says-he-accidently-shot-killed-his-friend?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Any useful comparison should reflect the distinction between accidental and intentional deaths. Relatively few deaths from firearms are accidental while relatively few deaths from cars are intentional. Cars aren't very efficient weapons; nor is it their primary function. It's tough to run the Buick over some guy on 34th floor. But the Beretta could get the job done pretty much anywhere. That's what they're built to do.
Touche'...In all the years raising my family I swear I don't recall being remiss in bringing it up in the most proper way I could and I am not going to mess it up by having an unwanted, despised object such as a peashooter or weapon of mass destruction...God only knows what could have happened had I owned one (Please see previous comment on this issue above)...In passing, let me share with you one horrible story (I am sure many of you have other opposing ones) about a "loving, law-abiding" husband who shot his wife in a fit of anger, then chopped her up with a chain saw...One more: A lady in Kansas scared an intruder with an ear piercing scream...I have more, but what's the use...Finally, Mr. Rich, you can have all the guns you want...I am not stopping you and I can't...It's your right.
I mentioned to Rich Cranium, above, about that gun enthusiast who died of homicide...Yes, he did not leave home without his piece, still died from a gunshot...Gun for protection?..I rest my case.
Ratliff was known as an outspoken gun advocate. In a message posted to Twitter on Aug 11, 2012, he wrote: "I went to the movies with my pistol in my pocket the whole time I was praying that somebody would try to pull a Batman!" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/09/keith-ratliff-fpsrussia-dead_n_2439284.html
Before I forget to mention the arrogance of these gun sellers, I vividly remember the full-page ad placed by one of them astride the headline announcing the massacre of children and teachers in Sandy Hook...Yes, more gun deaths become commercials for gun sales...Sickening!
Maybe you should learn something about the NRA other than what the media and anti-gun crowd feeds you. http://www.nrahq.org/history.asp You will learn that the NRA has played a part in the freedoms of people around the world and have promoted safety and training for decades.
http://www.meetthenra.org/board-list