With the broadcast networks ignoring the fact that the Philadelphia mass shooter was transgendered and a Black Lives Matter activist, their new narrative was to put focus on the weapons used: so-called “ghost guns.” Both ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today celebrated liberal Philly District Attorney Larry Krasner targeting two gun parts manufacturers (Polymer80 and JSD Supply) with laws suits, despite both companies selling a perfectly legal product.
“We also have information this morning out for Philadelphia and that mass shooting that left five people dead. We’re learning more now about the ghost guns use in the attack,” announced co-anchor Whit Johnson.
Correspondent Trevor Ault made it clear he was excited by the idea of the liberal D.A. suing the maker of legal gun parts:
So, the city of Philadelphia has actually filed a lawsuit they say has been in the works for quite some time targeting the manufacturers of these ghost guns.
(…)
This morning, the city of Philadelphia going after ghost guns after police confirmed two of these untraceable weapons were used in Monday's rampage which left five people dead. The city filing a 60-page lawsuit against two major manufacturers of these privately made gun parts which are then assembled at home.
He also highlighted a soundbite of Krasner painting a false image of how easy it was to finish and put together the parts into a functioning firearm. “But the gun kits they sell can be assembled in minutes by virtually anyone,” he proclaimed.
But in the reality obfuscated by the ABC, it’s not that easy. The parts sold by those companies are legally considered 80 percent finished and special milling equipment is needed to finish the build. These kits are completely legal and at-home gun building has been an American tradition since before the founding of the country.
Last week, Federal District Court Judge Reed O’Connor struck down the ATF’s unconstitutional attempt to ban these so-called “ghost guns." It was a ban that was ordered by President Biden. The ruling effectively affirmed the right for Americans to build their own firearms and companies could legally sell unfinished parts since Congress had not regulated them, nor given that authority to the ATF.
But the facts didn’t stop NBC co-anchor Sheinelle Jones from falsely asserting that Polymer80 and JSD Supply were selling “illegal ghost guns.”
“40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker was arraigned yesterday and held without bail. Police say he was armed with an AR-style rifle and also a handgun described as a ‘ghost gun’ or a firearm with no serial number,” she reported. “Meantime city leaders in Philadelphia are taking steps to address gun violence. The city filed a lawsuit yesterday against two major manufacturers of illegal ghost guns.”
Of course, she included a soundbite of Krasner erroneously suggesting that Polymer80 and JSD Supply sold products intended to be used in mass shootings. “The manufacturers of these weapons need to be held accountable for what they're doing. People are dying, murdered by weapons that are sold for the exact purpose,” he declared.
Where are the fact-checkers?
Their false claims about the legality of building firearms at home were made possible because of lucrative sponsorships from Facebook on ABC and Toyota on NBC. Their contact information is linked.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s Good Morning America
July 6, 2023
7:07:56 a.m. EasternWHIT JOHNSON: We also have information this morning out for Philadelphia and that mass shooting that left five people dead. We’re learning more now about the ghost guns use in the attack, the suspect, and the victims. Trevor Ault is in Philadelphia with the very latest this morning. Trevor, good morning.
TREVOR AULT: Good morning, Whit. So, the city of Philadelphia has actually filed a lawsuit they say has been in the works for quite some time targeting the manufacturers of these ghost guns. And we’re hearing for the family members of people who were there for this mass shooting, including a father who says a teenage boy gave his life protecting his best friend.
[Cuts to video]
This morning, the city of Philadelphia going after ghost guns after police confirmed two of these untraceable weapons were used in Monday's rampage which left five people dead. The city filing a 60-page lawsuit against two major manufacturers of these privately made gun parts which are then assembled at home.
LARRY KRASNER (D-Philadelphia district attorney): The manufacturers attempted to avoid liability by claiming that it is selling parts, not guns. But the gun kits they sell can be assembled in minutes by virtually anyone.
(…)
NBC’s Today
July 6, 2023
7:10:08 a.m. EasternSHEINELLE JONES: Meantime, the man accused of killing five people in a Philadelphia neighborhood this week is believed to be mentally ill, that’s according to a senior law enforcement source. 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker was arraigned yesterday and held without bail. Police say he was armed with an AR-style rifle and also a handgun described as a “ghost gun” or a firearm with no serial number.
Meantime city leaders in Philadelphia are taking steps to address gun violence. The city filed a lawsuit yesterday against two major manufacturers of illegal ghost guns.
[Cuts to video]
LARRY KRASNER (D - Philadelphia district attorney): The manufacturers of these weapons need to be held accountable for what they're doing. People are dying, murdered by weapons that are sold for the exact purpose.
[Cuts back to live]
JONES: Officials say the litigation aims to combat gun violence and reduce the flow of guns into Philadelphia area communities.
