Mika Brzezinski Faces Camera And Implores Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to Close Gun Show Loophole
"Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinski broke from the panel discussion Tuesday and implored Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to close the state's so-called gun show loophole. The MSNBC panel was discussing lax gun show laws allowing persons to purchase semi-automatic guns with little or no background check performed on them.
Brzezinski, seemingly abandoning journalism in favor of advocacy, tersely asked Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on camera to close the state's gun show loophole. "Just close the loophole. Governor Bob McDonnell," Brzezinski pleaded, staring into the camera as she singled out the state's chief executive.
Virginia law presently allows private transactions at gun shows to be completed without paperwork. Federal law mandates licenced gun sellers to perform background checks on buyers; private sellers are not obliged by the state to do so.
The segment began with a report of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg revealing that undercover investigators, hired by the city, went to an Arizona gun show and bought semi-automatic pistols even while they claimed they probably wouldn't be able to pass a background check.
Mayor Bloomberg highlighted the investigation as evidence that tougher federal gun laws need to be passed. The MSNBC panel agreed with him and discussed the ramifications of gun show loopholes.
"It's easier to buy an AK-47 assault weapon than it is to buy an automobile in some states," lamented columnist Mike Barnicle. Mika Brzezinski touted her husband's investigative work, where he apparently filled the trunk of his car with guns at a Virginia gun show with no problem. "90 percent of Americans don't want this to continue," reported Joe Scarborough on gun transactions sans background checks.
A transcript of the segment, which aired on February 1 at 8:33 a.m. EST, is as follows:
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Continuing his push for tougher federal gun laws, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says not much has changed after the tragic shooting in Tucson. Yesterday Bloomberg announced that sellers at an Arizona gun show allowed undercover investigators hired by New York City to buy semi-automatic pistols even after they said they probably couldn't pass a background check.
(...)
JOE SCARBOROUGH: By the way, um, when Pat Buchanan starts wondering why these gun show-shows are allowed to sell semi-automatic weapons without any background checks, and as Pat says, Mike, this is how the narcotics kingpins and the drug kingpins in Mexico – this is how they're arming themselves to kill innocent Mexicans and Americans. When Pat Buchanan starts raising questions, when I start raising questions, you've got to believe the vast majority of Americans think this makes no sense.
MIKE BARNICLE: It's easier to buy an AK-47 assault weapon than it is to buy an automobile in some states.
BRZEZINSKI: Yeah. What the Mayor's people did in Arizona is what my husband, who is an investigative reporter, did in Virginia at a gun show. Filled up a trunk of a car with guns.
SCARBOROUGH: And he got, to underline the point --
BRZEZINSKI: No questions asked. Nothing.
SCARBOROUGH: The underline the point, Jim Hoffer got a kid who was shot, the Virginia Tech shooting –
BRZEZINSKI: Five times.
SCARBOROUGH: The rampage. Five times to go into the gun show and had nothing but his photo ID from Virginia Tech, and was able to fill up a trunk with semi-automatic weapons. The killings in the New York and New Jersey and the Northeast are traced to those Virginia gun shows. Like I said, the drug wars are being armed, the most dangerous terrorists in our hemisphere, the drug kingpins, are being armed by Arizona gun show laws – c'mon. 90 percent of Americans don't want this to continue. 90 percent of Americans don't want to continue, it should not continue –
BRZEZINSKI: Just close the loophole. Governor Bob McDonnell.
SCARBOROUGH: You've got Dick Cheney, Pat Buchanan, other conservatives who are saying "C'mon, yeah, we support the right for Americans to keep and bear arms. But..." --
BARNICLE: A loophole was closed for a while –
BRZEZINSKI: Right.
BARNICLE: – and then re-opened when they let the law lapse a couple of weeks ago.
BRZEZINSKI: That's correct. That's correct.
- Matt Hadro's blog
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Comments
Did she ever implore Gov. Tim Kaine to do it?
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 5:27pm.
Kaine was the Governor of Virginia before McConnell -- and a Democrat to boot!
With a blizzard affecting the country......
Submitted by Texndoc on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 5:43pm.
"Mika Brzezinski Faces Camera And Implores Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to Close Gun Show Loophole"
Maybe the camera man can pass it along to Bob.
Otherwise, everyone else was watching the local for school closings.
Remote chance or just the Remote?
Submitted by jon_torlin on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 5:56pm.
I hope the governor looked right back at the TV and changed the channel. Oh wait, would he watch MSNBC's Morning Choke and Freaka Mika?
-Jon
Mika was mugged in DC at Ritz-Carlton
Submitted by Cactus Kurt on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 5:59pm.
Mika got mugged/robbed while standing outside the Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown. She was "very scared". I'm guessing that Sarah Palin wouldn't have forked over any cash... and there would be one less mugger in DC. Just sayin'...
How about...
Submitted by All American on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 6:07pm.
Mika close down your cake-hole ?
So her hubby "filled his trunk with guns"...must be nice to be so rich as to afford all of them!
And what did he do with them all afterwards? Turn them in for the $100 bounty offered by Mikey the Megolomaniac?
Sorry, Mika, NYC can't
Submitted by johnsonl on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 6:46pm.
Sorry, Mika, NYC can't interfere with Virginian's right to free enterprise. There is no "loophole." Any VA resident of legal age may sell a legal firearm to another VA resident at any time, gun show or not. By the way, there were more murders (284) committed with firearms in NYC than the entire state of Virginia (211) in 2009,and I understand that homicides were the lowest in NYC since 1963. Clean up your own act. Mind your own business.
"Guns don't kill people . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 6:54pm.
. . . Husbands what's come home early do." -- Larry the Cable Guy
Good one.
Submitted by johnsonl on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 8:48pm.
Good one.
Don't fret little Mika,
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 6:56pm.
Bloomberg will be sending investigators to Virginia to get to the bottom of this...
...as soon as they return from Arizona.
Yeah, he did that once. Our
Submitted by johnsonl on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 8:47pm.
Yeah, he did that once. Our AG told him if he sent them back, they'd be arrested.
Bloomberg's "investigators" may have broke the law
Submitted by Mike F on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 7:05pm.
My initial understanding is bloombergs investigators may have broke the law by purchasing guns from a state they didn't reside in. If you are from new york, you can't come here to arizona and buy a gun.
Gun shows are a coming together of private gun owners and potential gun buyers.sort of like the classified section of the arizona republic newpaper or any gun listing on craigslist or other such sites. At that point the onus is on the buyer to follow the law. If you are not legally allowed by law to possess a gun and you have a gun in your possession, then you have, in arizona, commited a felony. The punishment is severe.
So why would bloomberg send his "investigators" here to arizona weeks after the nation was focused on the tucson tragedy? why spend $100.000 dollers of new yorks funds on this folly?
My thoughts are bloomberg is more interested in his future political ambitions and less on his constituents.
Bloomber an accomplice to
Submitted by stratman on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 8:19pm.
Bloomber an accomplice to multiple felonies? Not too much of a stretch considering one does not become as wealthy as him without "bending the cost curve" from time to time.
I imagine the co-conspirators will be using the James O'Keefe defense, made popular after the famed pimp extraorinaire and telephone repairman wrangler was apprehended for being in Louisianna Senator Mary Landfill's office under false pretense. The horror.
-------
Sarcasm aside about O'Keefe, it was a stupid thing he did in Landrieu's office. Otherwise, the guy's done some excellent investigative journalism. His gal pal too!
Bloomberg is TOAST politcally
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 9:25pm.
Although having a severe Napoleonic complex, he may not realize it yet.
That plus he's clearly gone off his rocker lately with this "Shut up, we're the government" crap.
I just looked at Mika's
Submitted by stratman on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 8:03pm.
I just looked at Mika's picture on my monitor and told her to STHU.
Both of us have a probable success rate of nil.
Since posting this, my request may have had more total viewers than her's on TV since a few of us skipped her video and just read the article.
Read the last two paragraphs.
Submitted by Mike F on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 10:09pm.
Read the last two paragraphs. Bloomberg's investigators did break federal law.
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Organizers-fire-back-against-NYC-114986064....
Yup, now that's pretty freakin clear, isn't it?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 10:11pm.
Bloomberg thinks he's writing episodes of Law & Order.
Is Barnicle serious?
Submitted by UpNorth on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 10:54pm.
Probably not, he wouldn't know an AK-47 from a Kia. Mikey, the AK-47 is a weapon capable of being fired on full automatic. They aren't available at gun shows, no matter what you, Hillary Clinton and Bloomy dream. And the drug cartels aren't getting their AK's or M-16A2's from gun shows in Az, NM or Texas, they're getting them from Hugo and his AK factory, and from the Mexican military.
Incorrect Statement
Submitted by Cappmann1962 on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 11:21am.
AK's are available in semi-automatic as well. As a matter of fact, most fully automatic weapons can be had in a semi version, including Uzis, M-16s, Ingrams, etc.
You are correct that full auto weapons generally aren't available at gun shows, as there is a special permit required (Class 3 FFL) to own or purchase them.
You are also correct in your statement about Mexico, but this ditz is just parroting discredited talking points. These numbers are from SecState Klinton, Dianne Feinstein, LSM talking heads, BATFE clowns, and a WaPo article stating the Mexican government captured somewhere in the vicinity of 93,000 guns and 90% were from the U.S. Unfortunately, only a very few guns were turned in to the U.S. since the vast majority obviously came from other sources, and of those few, 90% (maybe) originated in the U.S. In other words, of all the weapons used in the Mexican drug war, only a small fraction came from us. The actual percentage of weapons originating in the U.S. is closer to 5% (5,114 of 11,000 weapons turned in to the U.S. that were sucessfully traced out of the 93,000 captured), also assuming the numbers from the Mexicans are accurate and reliable. The 90% number conveniently and regularly spewed comes from those 11,000 guns Mexico submitted to the ATF for tracing. Close to 6,000 were successfully traced -- and of those, 5,114, or 90% were found to have come from the U.S.
Not mentioned in these talking points are the weapons, including hand grenades, full-auto weapons, and rocket launchers, none of which are available in the U.S., from China, Spain, and even Israel. Nor do they reference the Russian Mafia, the South American revolutionary (FARC and others) arms trade with Mexico, nor the 150,000 ARMED Mexican soldiers who have deserted (with their weapons) in the last 6 years.
The lefties have begun saying that conservatives keep repeating a lie until it becomes accepted fact. The hypocrisy is amazing, since this has been their M.O. for years, and this is a clear example of this tactic. I can't count how many uninformed people have quoted this 90% BS. People REALLY should learn facts about issues they want to discuss or argue...
A 7.62mm
Submitted by UpNorth on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 2:02pm.
weapon that is not an SKS and only fires semi-auto, is not an AK. The translated service manual of the AK lists it as an "automatic rifle". The translation for AK is Automatic Kalashnikov. An M-16 that only fires on semi-auto, is, in fact, not an M-16.
Otherwise, I agree, the Mexicans, and Hillary are bending facts to suit their own agendas.
UpNorth
Submitted by Cappmann1962 on Thu, 02/03/2011 - 8:20am.
You are indeed correct in the nomenclature. Although the weapons so identified are virtually identical with the exception of selective fire, most people would call an AR-15 (or any of the numerous lookalikes) an M-16 strictly due to appearance. Same with the AK. I stand corrected!
Cheap theatrics from an MSNBC hack?
Submitted by drsamherman on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 11:24pm.
Oh tell me it isn't so.
Mika, Please...
Submitted by bigdaddy on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 11:58pm.
...close the Pie-hole!
Stop redefining stoopid.
Seriously???
Submitted by amyshulk on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 1:52am.
"When Pat Buchanan starts raising questions, when I start raising questions, you've got to believe the vast majority of Americans think this makes no sense."
So you guys are now "middle America"??? News to me. My concern for laws in other State's is limited to when I'm planning to visit them, not to berate them when I have only skewed info to judge them on! Newsflash Joe - I don't make assertions on what OTHERS should do, and i sure as heck don't presume to speak for them!!!
After almost 18 years of living in Las Vegas, watching people who move here lament OUR laws and stump to change them to what they had in the state they left, {mostly people from Ca.} I've concluded these people really can't connect the dots - it was all those laws/regs that made it impossible for them to STAY in their state, and the foavorable ones here that drew them, and these idiots want to what, do the same thing but get different results???
And don't get me started on Mika - she needs to do what she says Palin didn't - study/learn the issues on which she opines! She's a consistent one note nanny stater who has worked my last nerve. When she lamented the rise of Fox, and online blogs because she could no longer "shape" the news, I stuck around to see if she'd figure it out - that you present the TRUTH, not just the stories that fit your narrative, but no. She really is an idiot!!!
I used to watch this show with interest, then with disgust, now I DVR it and FF through it and stop when it looks like it might be interesting. Since they all {except Willie Geist} are one note, one dimensional, just out to "shape" the news, I'm about ready to completely drop it.
Slogging through 3 hours of self-promotion {Joe} Gov't is god {Mika} and smugness {stable of regulars} is beyond tiring. I'd MUCH rather come here, now that I know NB doesn't take stuff out of context/attempt to make stuff fit into their narrative!!!
Ronald Reagan
amyshulk
Submitted by Mike F on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 2:57am.
if you have watched this MSNBC offering from the beginning, Mika started out with the persona of a meek and demure flower of womanhood. she has become, since those bright and shiny days, in my opinion, a sour, angry scold. when "the boys" start to broach a subject she deems provocative, her sighs bring's one to the edge of madness. This MSNBC offering should be avoided as rubbish.
Mike - I think
Submitted by amyshulk on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 3:16am.
I started watching 2 years ago or so - I watched news in the 90's, until it all became about Clinton and his infidelity/lies. Hearing the right say it defined him and the left say it didn't matter over and over bored me so I quit.
So I read the paper with interest during the 2008 campaign, then started looking online for news and tried out various shows on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX. Candy Crowley and Kudlow I kept, MJ was the ONLY show I could stomach, and I found I liked Beck, Kelly, Greta, and Baier the most. I'll watch Bill & Hannity but I FF through most of their shows too.
My son laughs at me when I express my disgust with Mika - I explained she has NOTHING to offer, just baseless criticism, and that the show reminds me of the so called cool kids in High School. It's why they think they CAN shape the news - they truly believe they know what's best.
I've stuck with it to see what the daily meme would be, but since journolist seems to be alive and well, I guess they are getting frustrated that what THEY deem important - geez, Joe was sure GLEEFUL after the Tuscon shooting wasn't he? He was RIGHT, dagnabit, we need CIVILTY - n/m it was all a big LIE!!!
Ronald Reagan
Amy
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 11:21am.
After almost 18 years of living in Las Vegas, watching people who move here lament OUR laws and stump to change them to what they had in the state they left, {mostly people from Ca.} I've concluded these people really can't connect the dots - it was all those laws/regs that made it impossible for them to STAY in their state, and the foavorable ones here that drew them, and these idiots want to what, do the same thing but get different results???
This is what we get in Virginia, with the hippies, new agers and trust fund babies coming down from NE and NY. Every time I ask one why they left, it's almost the same answer about taxes and over-regulation of people and businesses. Then I'll ask them about their voting patterns since moving here (although a quick glance at the back of their car makes it pointless) They all vote Dem.
Virginia in the past was by no means a Republican state. The difference here, from what is up north, were the kind of Democrats we had. Ours would have been considered Republican up there. The old folks that were traditional Democrats don't seem to realize what kind of nutjobs are running their party now. And like my dear old Mom, they stll think FDR is in the White house and would probably vote for Hitler if he had a D next to his name.
Same problem
Submitted by UpNorth on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 2:08pm.
Phil. My mother-in-law had a pic of Ears in her house. When asked, she explained that he, like JFK was a dem, and because they'd voted dem since JFK, she voted for Ears. There is NO way of arguing with logic like that.
Tugboat Phil
Submitted by amyshulk on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 8:14pm.
We were in Va. '90-'91 {I was on medical hold there after back to back overseas duty} and I remember the opeds & letters to the Ed. in the paper sounded like politics as normal - the usual local infighting. I agree it wasn't infested with Social Justice ideas - back then I can totally believe it is now though!
We went to Fla. after I got discharged and started to see it happen there - my neighbor, with 2 kids and one on the way held down 3 P/T jobs, collected WIC/Food Stamps/Earned Income, while her "wake and bake" boyfriend couldn't keep a job. My husband made just a tad too much for us to get food stamps, and we PAID taxes and got a smaller return. We couldn't make it work there {Plus I HATED the humidity!!!} so we moved here to LV.
My observations over the years? The extremes on either side attempt to define the "starting line" and lately the left side has won in the media, courts, and both houses. So now the norm {middle American ideals} are lambasted as too extreme. It's disturbing that a small minority are able to redefine our societal/politacal norms when only a tiny percentage of Americans agree with them, then those that don't are then tagged with the racist/bigot monikor for not embracing the "new normal"!
Ronald Reagan
There is no such thing as a gun show loophole
Submitted by Dave. on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 2:56pm.
The same laws apply at gun shows that apply everywhere else.
If you are a licensed gun dealer, you must do a background check on whoever you sell a gun to, whether it be at a gun show, or in their own gun store.
If you are not a licensed dealer, you do not have to perform a background check on the person you are selling a gun to, and that applies not only at gun shows, but in the driveway in front of your house.
I have been part of several private firearm transactions over the years, but I only sell to or buy from people I know and trust.
Most everyone I know does the same as well.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November