Myths about guns must be refuted

by Greg Newman

(U-WIRE) EVANSTON, Ill. (Northwestern U.) — More than 100 years ago, a leading gun manufacturer produced a gun that could be fired only with the finger pressure of a reasonably strong adult, but not a small child. Despite this invention young children are able to fire a gun, to oft-tragic ends. Either the hand strength of toddlers has greatly increased in the last century, or something has prevented such an invention from being employed.

But why, Wayne La Pierre? Why, Charlton Heston, George W. Bush and John Ashcroft, among others? Why won't you let us have mandatory child safety locks or mandatory childproof triggers? Why do you lobby so vigilantly and so blindly to prevent laws from passing that could prevent criminals from getting and selling guns?

I have tried to debunk some of the more common myths concerning guns in America.

Myth No. 1: Guns are used mostly as protection, and cumbersome safety locks would make it too difficult for citizens to protect themselves from strangers.

Fact No. 1: According to the New England Journal of Medicine, a gun is 22 times as likely to kill someone accidentally than kill someone in self-defense. A gun in the home can lead to tragedy through domestic violence, accidental deaths by children or most commonly, suicide.

Myth No. 2: We will have less violence if we just enforce the more than 20,000 gun laws already in existence.

Fact No. 2: Loopholes that are vigorously supported by groups like the National Rifle Association consistently undermine these laws.

Currently, anyone can sell guns at most gun shows without a license, claiming status as a collector or hobbyist. In 40 states purchasers at gun shows are not subject to background checks or waiting periods.

The Brady Bill, passed in 1994, attempts to enforce background checks and waiting periods in gun shops but, in its current form, can do nothing with gun shows. This "gun-show loophole" allows the flooding of illegal guns into all 50 states and contributes to more criminals gaining access to illegal firearms.

Myth No. 3: Gun violence is mainly a crime issue.

Fact No. 3: Gun violence is just as much a public health issue. Thirty-five percent of all gun-related deaths are suicides. Regardless of the cause, every gun-related casualty results in astronomical medical costs to the government and to the taxpayer.

Myth No. 4: The majority of Americans values dogmatic adherence to Second Amendment rights over commonsense gun laws.

Fact No. 4: A poll conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates found that more than 90 percent of both gun owners and non-gun owners favor mandatory waiting periods for all gun purchases. The NRA has 3 million members - less than 2 percent of the total population of the United States. And yet they are winning because they are wealthy, because they are united and because they are determined.

Myth No. 5: Guns don't kill people, people kill people.

Fact No. 5: Have you ever heard of a drive-by knifing?

Boy ignites self; MTV takes the heat (Bradley U.)

By Steve Warner

(U-WIRE) PEORIA, Ill. (Bradley U.) — I realize the world is only a month into the new year, but I have a feeling we already can hand out the "Dumba** of the Year" award. Or should I say "Jacka** of the Year" award?

The winner: 13-year-old Jason Lind, who last Friday night, after watching an episode of the MTV reality series **Jackass**, set himself on fire because he saw host Johnny Knoxville do it.

Now, before I get tons of hate mail, let me clarify. I think it's horrible that an innocent child is in a hospital bed in Torrington, Conn., covered with severe burns.

But come on, let's be serious here. The kid had his two best friends pour gasoline over his arms and legs and set him on fire for no good reason other than that he saw someone do it on television.

This must be the teen-ager whose mother says, "And if your friends reached their arms into a leopard's mouth to obtain a can of Mountain Dew, would you do it, too?"

(Somewhere, a mother whose son attempted to imitate those very same Mountain Dew guys is crying.)

**Jackass** host Knoxville has been getting a lot of flack over the past couple of days from various media outlets and watchdog groups, claiming that his show is "immoral and irresponsible," but I think we need to put this whole situation in perspective.

**Jackass** is an admittedly immature but addictive show that follows host Knoxville and his friends as they partake in a series of disgusting — and sometimes dangerous — stunts.

For example, in an episode I watched the other day, Knoxville locked himself into a Port-a-Potty, while a giant crane flipped it upside down, after which the extremely, um, dirty host emerged, both shaken and stirred.

On the episode being blamed for young Jason Lind's burns, Knoxville put on a flame-retardant suit covered in various meat products and laid on an open grill while his co-hosts squirted the flames with lighter fluid.

OK, that's incredibly stupid, I know. I mean, who in his right mind would ever pull such a stunt in the first place, let alone imitate it? Oh yeah, that's right: Jason Lind.

What the hell was this kid thinking?! Even if his intention was only to imitate Knoxville's actions, maybe he should have remembered to put on the non-flammable suit. (I guess the meat really is optional).

Not only that, but the kid had his friends put gasoline directly on his clothes. Hmmm, did he really think it wouldn't hurt when he lit that match? And where were this kid's parents?

It's easy to accuse a television show of causing the world's problems, but it's kind of hard to blame a program that features warnings before and after each commercial break saying that the behavior featured on the show should never be imitated.

Even someone as crazy as Knoxville knows that in the world of show business, you should always cover your ass.

Which leads me back to Lind. Exactly how mentally unstable did this kid have to be to pull a stunt like this?

At least, I hope he was mentally unstable. If he weren't, may I once again introduce you to the biggest dumba** of 2001. If this is the future of America, let's remember to place those matches out of arm's length.

And for the love of God, keep all Port-a-Potties away from this guy once he gets out of the hospital.