Bryant Gumbel is still around, popping up monthly on HBO, which provides him with a platform to continue forwarding liberal nostrums unrelated to reality. On this month's edition of Real Sports, the sports news magazine he anchors, Gumbel decided the answer to inner-city gang violence is...more gun control!
Following a story on a rash of seven shootings with five deaths of high school athletes in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach/Portsmouth region of Virginia, an area reporter Jon Frankel described as “besieged by gangs, guns and fear,” Frankel told Gumbel “that there has been a real growth of gang activity in the area” as authorities have “really seen tremendous growth of these kids, you know, putting down stakes and saying 'this is our turf, stop messing with us.'” To which, Gumbel responded:
Let me get on my own soapbox here: I mean, they're talking about doubling the anti-gang unit. Why's nobody talking gun control?
As if gangs don't use guns to murder in states with strict gun control.
From the in-studio discussion, after the piece ran, on the April edition of Real Sports which first aired on Tuesday night, April 14:
BRYANT GUMBEL: Seven shooting in such a short period. Do they have any theories as to why the sudden escalation?
JON FRANKEL: The authorities in the area will tell you that there has been a real growth of gang activity in the area -- not just Norfolk, but the whole Hampton Roads area, all these cities in Southeast Virginia and that over the last three years they've really seen tremendous growth of these kids, you know, putting down stakes and saying “this is our turf, stop messing with us.”
GUMBEL: Let me get on my own soapbox here: I mean, they're talking about doubling the anti-gang unit. Why's nobody talking gun control?
FRANKEL: Well, I think in the piece, Billy Cook, who is on the school board, talked about the fact that you just having a gun to defend yourself puts us all at danger. So he does address that issue by saying, “hey, lay down the guns, let's stop this nonsense.”
GUMBEL: But no solutions in sight?
FRANKEL: No.
GUMBEL That's sad.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
kill people
April 25, 2009 - 19:06 ET by Darune AlbaneGUNS do not kill people, Morons who advicate gun controll do.
Parental Control
April 25, 2009 - 19:19 ET by allanfLet me get on my soapbox and advocate parental control (of children).
In the face of such Liberal
April 26, 2009 - 00:39 ET by Ten7sIn the face of such Liberal idiocy, common-sense is truely revolutionary. And I mean that literally. Common-sense applied uniformly in Washington DC, the large cities in this country, and elsewhere would rip poisonious liberalism from its roots and cast it into the abyss. That's why Liberals fight rationality with such foolish fury. (Case in point, we don't even accurately record crime statistics in this country, even though a blind man can see what's happening)
Take Away the guns (which would never work)
April 26, 2009 - 07:55 ET by allanf.. and perhaps they will start throwing Molotov cocktails. It is a mistake to think other weapons won't catch on and won't be available.
"Why is no one advocating
April 25, 2009 - 19:39 ET by BD"Why is no one advocating gun control?"
Better questionis why isn't anyone advocating snipers....
The problem is not that we have too many guns, it is that we have WAY to many gang members. Snipers would go a long way to alleviate that condition.
Mexico has Gun Control!
April 25, 2009 - 19:42 ET by MAS1916Bryant Gumbel? I had so hoped to never see nor hear from this loser again.
A good counter point would be to point out that Mexico has strict gun control laws. Their gang problem is certainly well under control.
Gumbel control not gun control
April 25, 2009 - 19:48 ET by jefflebowskiWhy not make murder double illegal? That way nobody would ever kill anyone! Since inner city gangs don't follow laws Bryant, you pompous idiot, laws don't really work on them, do they? I'm sure the Bloods and Crips don't apply for gun permits, do you? If you look over the top of your glasses, do you see me shooting you the finger?
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.c...
Hey Jeffski... I enjoy your
April 25, 2009 - 22:32 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggorHey Jeffski... I enjoy your blog! You know.... the only gun control I like to hear people speak of is target acuracy and knowing when your "dangerous" circumstances have met the level of moral obligation to discharge your weapon. The question we should be asking ourselves on the subject of gun control is not "should I own and carry a firearm?".... rather..... we should be asking ourselves.... "What caliber do I feel most comfortable with?" and "Should I use the 45 Colt 180 grain.... or the 45 Schofield 230 grain lead flat point ammunition?" This is how I define GUN CONTROL! ;~)
"We retort..... you decide."
Hey Jeff, I am totally
April 26, 2009 - 05:27 ET by USA4freedomHey Jeff,
I am totally going to steal that line.
I going to be seeing my in-laws in a few weeks and I KNOW this discussion will come up..(It always does). I think that because they see their daughter turning into a right wing nut case like me, (she belongs in the NRA) they have to pick a fight.
That is just too good, double illegal to kill, THAT WILL STOP THEM! And if that doesn’t, then we will move it to..................... Triple illegal!
It’s like double secret probation..
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Chain Gangs
April 25, 2009 - 20:04 ET by Red JeepWhy is no one talking about inner city chain gangs? Let the guys in the ‘hood see where they will end up when caught. Let them see their friends in the chain gang paint over graffiti , clean the neighborhood, etc.
good idea Bryant
April 25, 2009 - 20:05 ET by candanceGun control has done a real good job of ending deadly street violence in Europe - and the gun control laws that already exist here do a great job of preventing illegal ownership.
Thanks for playing.
Wow, I didn't realize
April 25, 2009 - 20:25 ET by HockeyKidWow, I didn't realize Dumbel was still above ground. It's good to see he's still as stupid as ever--gives one a sense of continuity and stability.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
We all know the CIA gives
April 25, 2009 - 22:47 ET by Dan DiegoWe all know the CIA gives guns out during their weekly crack distribution stops, just ask Un-rev Wright.
Bry-Bry makes me watch NFL Network games with the mute on.
How about gang control
April 25, 2009 - 20:30 ET by dark_dsHow about gang control .... you know bust these gangsters hard and throw them away
Have those on their turf cooperate with the police instead of practicing no snitching .....
_______ Him and the Unicorn he rode in on
What's the name of Bryant's show again? "The BG Soapbox"?
April 25, 2009 - 20:45 ET by Mike BrattonOh, now I remember--it's "Real Sports," on the pay-extra network where you can say all the dirty words and show all the uncouth images you like. That explains why Bryant gets to be on-camera and talk...
Seriously, though, let me ask Bryant a question. Bry... if I can call you Bry... Do you seriously think harsher gun control in Virginia will make all those gang members report en masse to hand over their gats?
Do you think that? Really?
--Mike
www.thebrattonreport...
"just having a gun to defend yourself puts us all at danger"
April 25, 2009 - 21:24 ET by nolotrippen"just having a gun to defend yourself puts us all at danger"
Don'tcha just love liberal speak?
"Just having a gun" This is GDS: Gun Derangement Syndrome. Just the existence of a gun somewhere makes "us" (except for people who usually don't face danger because of studio security guards and body guards) one step away from certain death.
"to defend yourself" -- can't do it. Why, if you have a gun for self-defense, you might accidentally blow Gumbel’s brains out (small caliber, natch').
Got an idea Frankel and Gumbel. Go to where the real action (and violence is). Go alone. Night or day. Doesn’t matter. Oh, and go unarmed. Hang out. Walk the walk. Talk to people who aren’t allowed to own guns for self-defense. Ask how they miss their sisters and sons and fathers. Ask them what it used to be like to walk without a cane or eat spicy food when you had all your guts still in place.
Just sayin'...
Lord love a duck..I was
April 25, 2009 - 21:43 ET by mandrakeLord love a duck..I was thinking of getting my passport renewed so I could visit with relatives in Detroit this summer. But now I'm not so sure..they won't let me bring a gun across the border! Are you folks really shooting each other up that much?
And he's serious
April 25, 2009 - 21:51 ET by EddieWalkerLiberals like to believe that all we need is more laws and the bad people in the world will turn good and everything will be better. When it doesn't work out that way, they just figure that there are not enough laws. It's the same with money and their social programs. It doesn't matter how many times their ideas fail, it's not their fault, not the idea's fault and never the person causing the problems fault. They just need more money and more laws.
When all guns are outlawed, only criminals will own them.
When all guns are outlawed, only criminals will own them..nah
April 25, 2009 - 22:29 ET by jefflebowskiI know a Angry White Dude who used to own a bunch of guns. Don't know where they've been misplaced! My guess is a whole hell of a lot of Americans will still have guns...albeit misplaced..if guns are outlawed. At least here in Texas.
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.c...
jeff/AWD... Along with
April 25, 2009 - 23:07 ET by bigtimerjeff/AWD...
Along with another huge state joining Texas with same sentiments, Big Sky is with you...and I bet the hugest state is too...Ak...could you imagine if you combined just those states and throw in Wy., North and South Dakota, we wouldn't need anybody for anything...
Just having a fun thought for the moment...
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
My having a gun in my home
April 25, 2009 - 22:08 ET by KevpotMy having a gun in my home for self defense endangers everybody. I guess so, if by 'everybody' you mean the criminals who want to prey on me. I will not be a victim for the leftards.
Gun control means shooting back
April 25, 2009 - 22:46 ET by Willis_Leon_Johnsonwith the intention of making certain the criminal never gets to use a firearm in the commission of a crime ever again.
The gangs will learn to play nice when they start getting shot by armed citizens instead of laughng at unarmed victims.
That is the difference isn't it?
Armed Citizens, unarmed victims....
http://gjresult.com
Because
April 25, 2009 - 23:27 ET by RowaneThey're not talking "gun control" ya stupid bastid because these gang bangers will get guns anyway.
Consider this: Liberals have
April 26, 2009 - 01:43 ET by mostlymoderateConsider this: Liberals have passed new laws like "hate crimes" bills that make a "hate crime" more punishable than any ordinary crime, right? Well, why don't we pass "gang crimes" bills. In other words, life sentences for gang-related offenses :) Watch the violence in this country dwindle to nothing.
Why's nobody talking about
April 26, 2009 - 02:04 ET by RR GOPWhy's nobody talking about rounding up all known and suspected gang members?
I consider various neo-Nazi groups to be gangs as well. But they're white and racist so that's different. Also the Klan...they were hit in the pocket book big time...and lotsa movies that show what bastards they really are.
I'm sure the Bloods and the Crips just looooo-uv white folks and SAs...and lostas movies that show how cool and justified they are.
Peace!
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).
It seems to me Joe Horn had
April 26, 2009 - 03:52 ET by ConservativeRexIt seems to me Joe Horn had excellent gun control.
Listening to Liberals and their ideas.....
April 26, 2009 - 06:33 ET by sbourgto solve any problems is usually painful. Their ideas are usually feckless and expensive. With gang-problems, there really are just two answers:
Immediate #1: Put them in prison for many years, even for offenses like stealing a car, or selling drugs.......just to get them the hell out of society.
Long-term #1: Make it MUCH less palatable for teenage girls to have babies. And make welfare less attractive. Instead of food-stamps, just set up "camps" with porridge to keep people alive but make them a little bit ashamed to not have a job.
Long-term #2: Reduce govt spending by ALOT and reduce taxes by ALOT, so that our private sector capitalist economy can create jobs faster. And of course enforce the illegal immig laws, so that low-wage jobs will be available for inner-city residents.
With liberals in charge, none of these ideas are even discussed.
Countering Hoplophobia
April 26, 2009 - 08:29 ET by ConScottThink I'll post this a few times according to the various anti-gun stories are exposed.
Please take the time to read as it really does work if you're patient:
http://www.gunlaws.com/Hoplophobia%20Analysis.htm
Use it in your emails to politicians, journalists, blogs, forums, neighbors, etc. A condensed version would be a nice addendum to Levin's Liberty & Tyranny.
Let's give a trial...
April 26, 2009 - 10:19 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonCompletely disarm the Secret Service for 4 years as a trial.
That's kind of a small test group.
OK, disarm the bodyguards hired at public expense for the protection of politicians for the same period of time.
In fact, just to make certain that is is an unbiased test, publish the names and addresses of the politicans and judges that promote disarming the population as a whole.
We should find in short order just exactly who is really in favor of disarming everybody, including themselves, and who just wants to disarm YOU!
http://gjresult.com
Right on
April 26, 2009 - 11:01 ET by iveseenitallWillis:
Right on! Remember when Rosie attacked Tom Selleck for his support of guns--- then it was discovered that she, herself, had armed bodyguards. What a bunch of hypocrites these "lberals" be!
NEVER, NEVER trust a "liberal"
lol
April 27, 2009 - 20:32 ET by well99Works for me.Nice one.
The answer is simple Mr. Gumbel...
April 26, 2009 - 11:28 ET by c5thenThe US Supreme Court has ruled that the 2nd Amendment refers to a citizens personal and individual right to keep and bear arms. Therefore, as the Constitution clearly and specifically states, it cannot be infringed upon by the government.
Just like your 1st Amendment right to free speech cannot be suppressed or restricted by the government simply because they do not like the results of it, or what you specifically do with it.
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
www.loyaltoliberty.com
Go read pages 3-4 of the
April 26, 2009 - 12:20 ET by TheHistorianGo read pages 3-4 of the following link and then answer the following questions:
http://www.ncjrs.gov...
Keep reading, and you will find out that gangs are the problem, and that guns are just a symptom of the problem. Yet liberals like Gumbel try to maintain that their failed nanny state is the answer, NOT the problem. Crime has actually FALLEN where concealed-carry has been authorized. While there are instances where legal guns have caused deaths, they are far outnumbered by cases where they have helped reduce crime. Maybe Brian can explain the "happy accident" that while gun sales are going up, gun crime is going down (http://www.nssf.org/...).
The real problem is that no one asks these guys the hard questions on camera. Their blithering idiot status would immediately become obtious.
The real problem in gun deaths is not the availability of guns, but the lack of parenting and education. Many of these children are multi-generational poor promoted by lack of education and lack of any home guidance. Yet we want to foist these approaches onto the whole nation. Thanks, I don't want illegal guns to outnumber legal ones. THAT is the problem, not the ownership of legal guns, which is the only thing the government is trying to control.
"What experience and history teach is
this - that people and governments never have learned anything from history,
or acted on principles deduced from it."
G. W. F. Hegel
EVERY race riot
April 26, 2009 - 12:56 ET by Willis_Leon_Johnsonand every other form of 'civil unrest' (read riot) for whatever reasn has occured in areas where the Citizenry has been 'represented' by democrats for generations.
In short, the People in those districts are not educated as to what their problems are caused by, nor the method of improving their lives.
In essence, they vote democrat to continue the policy of having their youth raped and murdered for the politicians power over them.
Is it intentional on their part? NO!
But it is the way they have been TRAINED TO THINK!
And it's all they know.
http://gjresult.com
→ Maybe
April 26, 2009 - 12:57 ET by Cool ArrowOr maybe it's the way they have been TRAINED TO FOLLOW!
It's hard to talk when you're teabagging - Anderson Cooper
Protect Yourself
April 27, 2009 - 04:43 ET by stevepipeFYI: Some years ago the Police Chief of Houston (the 3rd or 4th largest city in the country) said (to paraphrase):
"You are going to have to do SOMETHING to protect YOURSELVES. The police can only PICK UP THE PIECES."
!!!!!!!
To my main point:
When Texas decided to make it legal to carry CONCEALED weapons ---> liberal pundits were foaming at the mouth how it would be the "wild west" all over again. Traffic rage, etc. would have shootings in the street. Innocent bystanders would be slaughtered by the HUNDREDS!!!
Now, SEVERAL years later, Texas remain one of the states with the LOWEST murder rates in the nation.
Go figure.
Why is nobody talking "Dumb Control?"
April 27, 2009 - 09:38 ET by Pilgrim1949There used to be a phrase, "Talking straight from the shoulder," to indicate honest, forthright speech. From a 1960's "Insults for all occasions" book, I remember reading the following zinger, "He claims to talk straight from the shoulder. Too bad his thoughts don't originate a little higher up!"
If we had "Dumb Control" it would elimate so much blather and so many blatherers, as in the lofty (in his own eyes) Bryant Dumbell. Unfortunately Dumb Control would immediately decimate the ranks of so-called journalists. However, the remaining "true" journalists would at last have freedom to do their jobs of reporting, rather than pontificating.
Too bad we can't claim that "Dumbells don't kill people," because their ideas and legislation all too often do result in people killed.
Sticks and stones might break our bones, but "Dumb" is a lethal threat to us all.
Most of the gangs here in
April 27, 2009 - 20:26 ET by rbosqueMost of the gangs here in L.A. are illegals. So the question should be, why do Democrats allow them into the country to terrorize American citizens?