Gun Owner Rights Don’t Depend on How Tired Shannon Watts is of Joe Scarborough

By David Codrea

Shannon Watts
“Let’s face it, I’m tired.”
David Codrea in his natural habitat.

USA – -(Ammoland.com)-  “I Am Tired of Correcting Joe Scarborough — Gun Safety Is A Winning Issue,” Bloomberg Mom Shannon Watts complains to a sympathetic HuffPo readership. “It is patently false to claim Democrats will see more favorable results by embracing the gun lobby.”

She evidently knows something Bill Clinton did not, and must also have an explanation (besides “the Russians”) for Donald Trump’s electoral wipeout of Hillary Clinton. (Incidentally, she didn’t believe her “husband” either, not that we can blame her.)  But as long as Watts is intent on repeating a denial meme that’s been around for years (Isn’t that what Opposite Day “progressives” do? Recycle failed ideas from the past?), gun owners will happily take a Republican in the White House, controlling both houses of Congress and appointments to the Supreme and federal courts.

“Not only is gun violence prevention supported by a majority of Americans from both parties, but it is also a winning issue,” Watts prattles on undeterred. “ Just last week, Pew Research Center’s new polling came out showing that 84 percent of Americans believe background checks should be required for private gun sales and sales at gun shows. And lo and behold, just 19 percent of gun owners reported being members of the NRA.”

That’s some majority!

That 84 percent Watts and other gun-grabbers love to cite manifested itself in Nevada’s Question 1 ballot measure by a less than one percent “victory margin,” losing in every county but heavily-populated Clark. That’s after Boss Bloomberg pumped $20M into the campaign. (And you’d think for that kind of money, they’d be able to come up with something that isn’t unenforceable due to incompetence of the “law’s” drafters.)

That’s not the only place Watts runs aground on funky numbers:  A representative poll could not possibly accurately identify 19 percent of gun owners as NRA members. Anti-gunners would have us believe there are only 55M gun owners (but NSSF says don’t believe declining numbers). So a random sample of self-identified gun owners, factoring in that there are around 5M NRA members (and the antis would have us believe that number is even smaller) would at most include around 10 percent (best case Washington Post scenario, and their agenda is to minimize NRA influence) being members.

A similar disconnect was recently pointed out when The Dallas Morning News admitted they and the rest of the media got the number of “American kids [who] have witnessed a shooting” ludicrously wrong. The problem is, a simple Google search demonstrates how that fake news claim has been repeated without correction and predominates articles influencing public opinion.

As for the survey Watts referenced, disregard that you have probably never participated in one and wouldn’t be inclined to tell a stranger that you owned a gun. And disregard that you probably don’t know anyone who has been shot (outside of a war scenario) despite the survey claim that “(44%) say they personally know someone who has been shot, either accidentally or intentionally.” Let’s stipulate that the survey is correct and the responses accurately indicate preferences expressed by the respondents.

So what?

First of all, if you asked a “Second Amendment absolutist” like me if people with dangerous mental health issues should have access to guns, I and anyone who is sane would say “Of course not.” The reality is, anyone who can’t be trusted with a gun can’t be trusted without a custodian. But that’s determined by them being adjudicated a danger to themselves and others after being afforded full due process protections, not on accusations and administrative decisions relying solely on politicized anti-gun shrinks.

Likewise, no one is “for” terrorists having guns (well, except for the terrorists). But again, unsubstantiated allegations from nebulous and subjective sources must not be used to deny due process and fundamental rights — at least that’s what rational and informed people think.  Case in point, some years back I wrote about a citizen placed on the “terror watch list” because he took a giant pink inflatable pig to political rallies.

That, of course, is the gun-grabber M.O. As many gun owners as they can disenfranchise through mere accusations, the better they like it, and they have no shortage of useful idiots helping to spread that message.

The other problem with such surveys: Everyone has opinions. There’s no indication that the respondents have informed ones.  And that’s what Watts is counting on.

When asked about background checks, are they aware that the National Institute of Justice’s “Summary of Select Firearm Violence Prevention Strategies” observed “Effectiveness depends on the ability to reduce straw purchasing, requiring gun registration,” that criminals are exempt from registration, and that such lists have been used for confiscation? When asked about “assault weapons,” there’s no indication many of them even know what they are (thanks in large part to a media that has consistently been getting it wrong either ignorantly or intentionally.)

Even if the 84 percent number were true, not that long ago, historically speaking, the “majority” was fine with burning Giordano Bruno at the stake for, among other “heresies,” daring to suggest not just that the earth revolved around the sun, but for adding insult to injury by postulating the sun was but one of the stars. Leave it to Opposite Day “progressives” like Watts to embrace that method of gauging public sentiment as a green light to craft laws.

Joe Scarborough
Morning Joe doesn’t lean far enough to the left for Shannon.

That sentiment is being further misdirected simply by Watts pitting herself against the controlled opposition.  Representing RINO gun-grabber Joe Scarborough as a model of “conservative” and “pro-gun” excesses allows anyone to “the right” of him to be dismissed as an extremist, which is another M.O.  And that allows them to smear any gun owner rights adovcate more “no compromise” than Wayne LaPierre as a domestic terrorist.

Watts appears to be setting herself up to test her theory in practice.  Having moved (carpetbagged?) to Colorado, she’s eyeing a Congressional seat. It’s in a safe Democrat district, so add in some Bloomberg AstroTurf money and she’ll be able to crow about what a political genius she is, that gun contro … uh … safety is a winning issue, and that the grassroots have spoken.

About David Codrea:

David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating / defending the RKBA and a long-time gun owner rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament.

In addition to being a field editor/columnist at GUNS Magazine and associate editor for Oath Keepers, he blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” and posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.

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trumped

She has the perfect face for radio!

Donald L. Cline

I like David Codrea but https://www.ammoland.com/2017/06/gun-owner-rights-dont-depend-on-how-tired-shannon-watts-is-of-joe-scarborough/ When asked about background checks, are they aware that the National Institute of Justice’s “Summary of Select Firearm Violence Prevention Strategies” … misses the point. The issue is not about whether background checks work or not (demonstrably, they do not); the issue the FACT that they 1) convert the RIGHT to keep and bear arms into a revocable government-issued privilege; they violate our 4th amendment right to be secure from search (Form 4473 & NICS) in the absence of probable cause of criminal conduct; they violate our 5th amendment right to be secure from… Read more »

Charles Valenzuela

Could you PLEASE not put this moron’s photo at the top of the article?

What a disgusting visage.

XX

Is she really any more offensive looking than than that Skeletor-looking biaaatch, Ann Coulter?

Jim S

The challenge I have with people like her is they fundamentally believe it is the firearm that is bad which incites otherwise decent thugs to commit a crime. They do not accept there are just some bad people out there, waiting for ways to infringe your personal safety. Most conservatives tend to be pretty commonsensical people and would go along with “common sense” gun laws. The problem is we have been burned repeatedly by that position. It seems each year they rachet the restrictions up. They pass background checks, ok, next they limit magazine capacity for common sense, ugh, next… Read more »

Jim Macklin

In everything they say about “evil guns” substitute “holy book” [ Bible, Quran, Tora, whatever] and it can clearly be proven that much of the violence, misery and death for the past 2,500 years has been caused by “evil interprtations” of a holy book.

Doesn’t even have to be a religious book. Mein Kampf or Karl Marx. Of course they were really religious since they were attacking religion or political structure with “religious fever.”

Donald L. Cline

I believe that is supposed to be “religious fervor.”

Tionico

Yup. This creature is a few watts short of being a lightbulb…. she seems to operate on the “I do what my Rice Krispies Tell Me to Do” mindset, and directs her spews to others of the same ilk. So, she’s shifting to Colorado to try and win a seat in the legislature? What would it take to begin a campaign against her in her newly invaded turf? And/or to field a good candidate who can take her down? Perhaps expose some of the blatant lies she repeats, and how she is funded by that BloomingIdiotBurg with the bad case… Read more »

jack burton

” they fundamentally believe it is the firearm that is bad” Unfortunately this is not true. Watts and her friends don’t give a damn about firearms, good or bad. They are interested in “people control” and this is just a way to achieve their goals. If it wasn’t guns, it would be something else. Firearms are a mere pretext for their desires to be the elite, the decision makers for the rest of us mere peasants. They may emotionally manipulate some weaker minded people/followers into believing guns are bad, but for themselves and the leadership in the anti-freedom/liberty movement it… Read more »

dava golin

IT IS INTERESTING Clark country also had thousands of illegals voting Democratic because of the unions. I call it Californian infection.

Jim S

I really hate Kalifornia. Such mindless socialists….

Shooter

I really hate conservatives/Republicans such brainless self-righteous imbeciles.

Colonialgirl

LOOK MA; Gil has a NEW name and used it to spew more liberal idiocy.
Way to go moron.

JoeUSooner

Nice try! Won’t work… but it was a nice try. Simply CALLING conservatives names (“brainless,” “imbeciles,” etc) does not make such accusations true… however, YOU making those accusations actually guarantees them to be absolutely false!

Thanks for playing, anyway…

Donald L. Cline

I don’t agree with either one of you, HJoeUSooner, but Joe, I will point out that Jim S calling Californians “such mindless socialists” constitutes name-calling too. Both claims are unresponsive to the issues before us, don’t you agree?

hippybiker

Hey shooter/Gill. FOAD! Bitch.

Samuel Stephens

Living in Kommunist kontrolled Kalifornia I get to see everyday how kontroll freaks live and it is not pretty. If people think Kommunism is dead look no father than Kommunist kontrolled Kalifornia, home where the fruit pick some sheeple.

Shooter

You must think everybody in California is exactly the same. I suppose you believe that somewhere over the rainbow everybody is perfect.

Colonialgirl

more idiocy

Donald L. Cline

🙂 I suppose ‘somewhere over the rainbow,’ everybody is indeed ‘perfect,’ but that seems irrelevant to the discussion before us. Samuel Stephens’ comment seems appropriate given the fact that the majority of the people in California elect their demonstrably Marxist government to office. What would be more effective, ‘Shooter,’ would be for you do address the issues rather than the individuals, don’tcha think? You can start by simply stating your issue or agenda or both.

Shooter

I must take exception to your comments. I am California born and bred, a lifetime resident and lifetime Democrat. I am also a lifetime firearms owner, of many different varieties, and have spent a great many wonderful weekends and camping trips in the desert, in the mountains, at the firing range with my beloved firearms. I have been an NRA member on and off throughout my lifetime. I have made a number of donations to the NRA. I have had an membership in the NAGR off and on over the last several years since I became aware of them and… Read more »

Colonialgirl

Then Stupid; STOP being a democrap and voting for them; NONE of them favor gun rights and will ALWAYS vote against your second amendment rights. Pull your head out, flush you brain and learn the truth .

Roy D.

Thank you Colonialgirl, you saved me from having to type that myself. Good job!

Samuel Stephens

As being a DemocRAT or Republican, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

VE Veteran - Old Man's Club

You would have a hard time finding a true conservative who is anti – gun. Those would be what are labeled neo-Cons (like the “I was against the war but I supported the troops” idiots), and RINOs Republicans In Name Only. You say you’re a life long Democrat … sucks to be you. You get tarred with every sh*tty things that the Party of Socialism enacts. Are you a closet Socialist? If not then I would drop the Democratic Socialist People’s Party like a bad habit. You can be as pro – gun as you want, but as long as… Read more »

DrSique

Maybe the next time you attempt a name change, you could call yourself Oxymoron. It would save the rest of us from reading your drivel.

JDL

ALL of your self aggrandization is fully negated by your life-long support for the party that wants to disarm law-abiding citizens and deny them their Constitutionally guaranteed natural rights. If you really mean what you say, you would never, ever vote Democrat again.

VE Veteran - Old Man's Club

@ JDL – uhhhhhhhh you mean Constitutionally recognized, but God given don’t you? God given means there is no one higher up enough on the food chain to take them away. And Democrats all need to be put on some rat infested ship and set adrift. Don’t worry about the food angle – they tend to eat their own.

Grim

“God given”??? You religionists attribute the 2nd Amendment to your god? Get real.

Donald L. Cline

Never mind what ‘Grim’ says below; he’s obviously convinced he is a higher authority than He who inspired our founding fathers to create the first nation on Earth to establish private individual rights as superior to the arbitrary whim of wannabe kings and princes and neighborhood political officers and warlords. Those who deny the Hand of God in the affairs of man will never have the strength, the perseverance, or the courage to defend our nation to the death if necessary.

JDL

I mean exactly that. What is more natural than God’s gift of life? But mentioning God by name instead of by deed will just distract a liberal off on a tangent and you lose any chance of them seeing your point.

JoeUSooner

Grim, you really, physically cannot be THAT damnably rock-stupid.

We do not attribute the 2nd Amendment to God, at least not equivalent to His personal delivery of the etched-in-stone Ten Commandments. We attribute the right to self-defense to God, since it is His intentional design… but the 2nd Amendment is merely our Founding Fathers’ way of ensuring that neither the government nor idiotic, hoplophobic anti-gunners can legally interfere with THAT natural right. That (huge) difference is indeed reality, although you Liberals will never understand it.

Grim

You religionists justify your existence and rights to your god, since you cannot concieve of standing on your own two feet. “Those who deny the hand of God…” are stronger than those who rely on a third, make believe, party for their strength and convictions and are contrary to true conservative values. You are no different than Islam, Hindus or others with blind faith, despite the facts that prove otherwise. Get a set and stand tall.

Gil

No but indeed If Founding Father were truly Christian they never would have allowed freedom of religion into the U.S. Constitution.

2A Defender

You can spew whatever you want, how many guns you have, what organizations you belong too, etc…etc…, but it amounts to NOTHING when you VOTE for the elitist politicians who seek to nullify the 2A. That is the problem, so take your self righteousness somewhere else because I don’t give a s4$&!

Robert Thomas

I’m sorry, but you are an idiot. Democrats, by a very large majority, are extremely antigun. Period. You vote for them and you get what you deserve. Game, set, match. Kalifornia is a lost cause and the majority of us want it to vanish into the sea.

Jim Macklin

Hotels in Las Vegas depend on on cheap labor for laundry and service. The Gaming Commission probably monitors casino labor, so Mexican women and men are cooking food, washing dishes, and laundry.

Tionico

Perhaps someone should challenge the election results on that basis, overturning it, and demanding the voter rolls be cleaned up to prevent a repeat?

Jim Macklin

Regarding the vote in Las Vegas for gun control; the large number of illegal aliens working and probably voting in the election is a factor not mentioned.

VE Veteran - Old Man's Club

Its always the same – the Hoplophobes come up with their tired assed old arguments about “common sense” gun laws. The problem is that they fail (Epically!) to understand that human nature will never change. Criminals will never obey laws, crime will continue, victims will continue to get shot, and those Hoplophobes would have us give up our means of self defense. Shannon Watts and her ilk should just shut their collective pie holes and let folks live as they ought to … free to choose what ever type of defense they wish. They need to all go back to… Read more »

Bandit

ALL the anti gun nuts need to go back to fantasy island where they can find that utopia they want so bad. They will never find that utopia because of the gangs and the others that want to destroy everything. Yeah that watts needs to get that pinhead of hers out of bloombugs rear end.

Gil

Strange how the pro-gun changes to Chicago haven’t ended the crime rate.

JoeUSooner

“pro-gun changes” to Chicago?????? First, there haven’t been any PRO-gun changes in Chicago. Despite any “lip-service” by local democrats, the ability and likelihood of average Chicago citizens to 1) obtain firearms, 2) keep firearms in the home, or 3) obtain a license to carry firearms in public… remains – for ALL practical purposes – zero! Any exceptions (which are exceedingly rare) are statistically-irrelevant anomalies when compared to overall numbers. Second, those “changes” (even if they were ever to be actually installed) – the ones that you lyingly refer to as pro-gun – ONLY increase the difficulty that responsible citizens face… Read more »

Gil

So folks like you complain about deaths then complain people can’t get enough guns. How do you know any innocent people are the victim of crime or it’s just gang members mostly killing other gang members? No law-abiding person would want to live a such a high-crime area.

Jim Macklin

Chicago had a chance for representative government but the IRS put Al Capone in prison. But seriously the Democrat/Daley-Emanuel Machine and often runs the state because Cook County claims half the state’s population. BUT Illinois was forced to pass “shall issue concealed carry” by order of the 7th Circuit. The State controls this and it is administered by the State Police. There are now 1/4 million Illinois residents licensed to carry. Chicago does ban laser sights on handguns and rifles. I guess they watched too many Hollywood movies about lasers. Chicago has run all the FFLs out of the City… Read more »

Gil

The guy who engaged in self-defence against a popcorn throwing maniac was law-abiding until that day.

Grim

Ps. 144 Sounds like Islamist propaganda, VE.