Ever since the deadly terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida over the weekend NBC seems to be one of the most unabashed Gun Control pushers of the “big three” networks. During their Nightly News program the reported that the AR-15 was a weapon built to see conflict overseas. “The AR-15, a weapon of war, able to be legally purchased by Americans,” stated host Lester Holt leading into a segment that tried to stoke fear of the firearm.
Reporter Peter Alexander started by saying that ARs have been flying off the shelves since the attack, and only briefly mentioning why people are fond of the model. He then dove into the political spin. “To critics, they have no practical application, a weapon of war with a violent record,” Alexander claimed, “27 dead at Sandy Hook, 14 in San Bernardino, 49 in Orlando.”
Alexander also claimed that police, “Are now forced to compete with criminals carrying similar weapons. Built for the military, not for sport.” The reporter sat down the Police Chief of Montgomery County in Maryland to back up his claims. In the report he failing to talk to a law enforcement officer with the opposite opinion, of which there are plenty.
During his report Alexander also found the time to help push President Obama’s Gun Control agenda:
PETER ALXANDER: While the Orlando shooter bought his weapons legally, President Obama again today warned about Americans' access to such powerful guns. On PBS, ten days before the Orlando shooting, expressing frustration about efforts to keep guns out of terrorists' hands.
BARACK OBAMA: If he wants to walk into a gun store or gun show right now and buy as much -- as many weapons and ammo as he can, nothing's prohibiting him from doing that.
He ended his report in shock that ARs would be treated like every other weapon. “In the eyes of the law, the AR-15 is no different than any other rifle. Pass a background check, put your money down. And in most places a buyer can take one home today,” Alexander said.
Of course it would be treated the same as other rifles, because it’s not a “weapon of war.” The AR-15 was designed to replicate the look of military weapons, a benefit being their ergonomic design. If a buyer wanted, they could purchase a weapon made of wood with same capabilities as an AR, but look nothing like it.
Transcript below:
NBC
Nightly News
June 13, 2016
7:41:31 PM EasternLESTER HOLT: Also in focus tonight is the assault weapon used in this attack. The AR-15, a weapon of war, able to be legally purchased by Americans. It’s a weapon that has been used repeatedly in mass shootings on U.S. Soil in recent years, from Orlando, to Newtown, Connecticut. NBC's Peter Alexander has more.
[Cuts to video] [On screen headline: New Firestorm Over Gun Control]
PETER ALEXANDER: At Adventure Outdoors gun shop near Atlanta today, a stampede of buyers. More AR-15 semiautomatic rifles sold each hour than in a typical day.
UNNAMED STORE REPRESENTATIVE: Normally we might sell three or four a day. But we've been selling about ten an hour. And right around lunchtime we were selling about 15 an hour.
ALEXANDER: The AR-15, the country's most popular rifle, now a symbol for both sides in America’s fierce gun debate. To owners they're fun, versatile, and accurate. To critics, they have no practical application, a weapon of war with a violent record. 27 dead at Sandy Hook, 14 in San Bernardino, 49 in Orlando. Gun rights activists say the problem isn’t the weapons, it’s the shooter.
DAVID ADAMS: If they hadn’t had an AR-15 they would’ve found some other way. They were terrorists, and they were looking for a way to kill as many people as they could before they went down themselves.
ALEXANDER: Montgomery County Maryland Police Chief Tom Major said officers are now forced to compete with criminals carrying similar weapons. Built for the military, not for sport.
TOM MAJOR: From a law enforcement perspective, from somebody who's been a cop for 40 years, I think we'd be safer if those kinds of weapons were not so readily available.
ALEXANDER: The National Shooting Sports Foundation estimates the number of ARs in the U.S. Has soared to more than 8 million. And today gun manufacturers saw their stock prices surge.
While the Orlando shooter bought his weapons legally, President Obama again today warned about Americans' access to such powerful guns. On PBS, ten days before the Orlando shooting, expressing frustration about efforts to keep guns out of terrorists' hands.
BARACK OBAMA: If he wants to walk into a gun store or gun show right now and buy as much -- as many weapons and ammo as he can, nothing's prohibiting him from doing that.
ALEXANDER: Legislation to restrict gun sales has gone nowhere. After the so-called assault weapons ban expired in 2004, efforts to reinstate it failed. Most recently, in 2013, with 15 Senate Democrats joining almost every Republican voting against it. A separate House bill last year, largely ignored.
[Cuts back to live]
In the eyes of the law, the AR-15 is no different than any other rifle. Pass a background check, put your money down. And in most places a buyer can take one home today. Peter Alexander, NBC news, Washington.
