During Saturday’s Alex Witt Reports on MSNBC, Yasmin Vossoughian had a message to any American who wishes to purchase an AR-15: “join the military.” Vossoughian backed up her self-righteous reporting from Uvalde by falsely claimed that the AR-15 is given to members of the military when they enlist.
During a segment with Witt, Vossoughian referenced an interview she did with a protestor who is in favor of banning the AR-15, “I asked him, who you just heard from, guy who's had multiple tours overseas in the Middle East, who knows how to fight with an AR, right? He's given an AR when he enlists. Should an 18-year old be able to buy an AR?”
That is simply not true and no amount of emotional reporting is going to change that. Nor is a textbook case of credentialism a good argument for banning them, “Absolutely not, he tells me. I said, what is an AR used for anyway? I know this is Texas. I know people like their guns in Texas. People own guns in Texas, we know that coming to this state, right? This guy owns multiple guns, he goes out and hunts and he said there is no use for a regular layman to have an AR. No use at all.”
As Vossoughian was speaking, Witt could be heard in the background agreeing, “Yeah. No. There’s not.”
This particular veteran’s opinion is not determinative, certainly there are other veterans who disagree with him, especially given Vossoughian’s earlier falsehood.
Vossoughian wrapped up by declaring, “so, this community, they're reeling, the state is reeling and across the board, people have said, the police did not respond appropriately and in time, and something needs to change.”
Witt agreed “that is for damn sure,” but MSNBC should get its facts straight before demanding others pass new laws.
This segment was sponsored by Golden Corral.
Here is a transcript for the May 28 show:
MSNBC Alex Witt Reports
5/28/2022
1:09 PM ET
YASMIN VOSSOUGHIAN: I'll tell you this Alex. We heard from the governor yesterday at that press conference, right? He was, of course, pressed once again about changing gun measures here in this state, right? Should the restrictions on purchasing the ARs?
We know Beto O'Rourke has obviously also been trying to get ARs banned in the state. That is part of this campaign platform in running for governor of the state. I asked him, who you just heard from, guy who's had multiple tours overseas in the Middle East, who knows how to fight with an AR, right? He's given an AR when he enlists.
Should an 18-year old be able to buy an AR? Absolutely not, he tells me. I said, what is an AR used for anyway? I know this is Texas. I know people like their guns in Texas. People own guns in Texas, we know that coming to this state, right? This guy owns multiple guns, he goes out and hunts and he said there is no use for a regular layman to have an AR. No use at all.
ALEX WITT: Yeah. No. There’s not.
VOSSOUGHIAN: If you want to shoot an AR for fun, go join the military, that’s what he said to me. Go join the military if you want to shoot AR.
WITT: Right.
VOSSOUGHIAN: And, so, this community, they're reeling, the state is reeling and across the board, people have said, the police did not respond appropriately and in time, and something needs to change.
WITT: That is for damn sure. Okay, Yasmin, thank you so much, I know we’ll see you in another 45 or so as you start your show. Appreciate that.
