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Publication: guns
Poynter→ Kamala Harris said 1 in 5 Americans have lost a family member to gun violence. Poll data backs that claim
Just days after a series of high-profile incidents of gun violence, Vice President Kamala Harris sought to put the frequency of shootings in the United States into context. “You’ve seen […] The post Kamala Harris said 1 in 5 Americans hav
Poynter→ Do loose gun laws lead to more gun deaths? Sometimes, but not always.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., one of Congress’ leading advocates of stricter gun laws, recently tweeted a statistic that he said shows that more restrictive gun laws can save lives. “The […] The post Do loose gun laws lead to more gun death
The Dispatch→ The Washington Post Misfires—Again
A man fires an AR-15 a a shooting range on October 12, 2019, in Greeley, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)Its series on the AR-15 is error-ridden propaganda.Continue reading The Washington Post Misfires—Again »
The Dispatch→ Under the Black Flag
A banner featuring an AR-15 automatic weapon hangs outside a gift shop on May 11, 2018, near Cherokee, North Carolina. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)Making the AR-15 the powerful cultural symbol it is today has been a collaborative effort by those
Truth or Fiction?→ Donald Trump Holds Rally in Waco, 30 Years After Waco Siege
On March 24 2023, an Imgur account shared a tweet about former United States President Donald Trump staging a rally in Waco, Texas, from his niece Mary Trump: Donald has a rally in Waco this Saturday [March 25 2023]. It’s a ploy to remind his cu
Truth or Fiction?→ Mass Shootings, Violence in California Highlight Issue of Disinformation in Immigrant Communities
Two mass shootings in California in the first weeks of 2023, both committed by immigrants in their sixties, have highlighted the issue of disinformation and propaganda targeting American immigrant communities, and how the prods and pulleys of stochasti
The Dispatch→ The Intifada
Who is behind the attacks on the power stations in Moore County, North Carolina?The post The Intifada appeared first on The Dispatch.
Snopes→ School Shootings Are Already at a Record in 2022
As of Oct. 24, there have been 257 shootings on school campuses — passing the 250 total for all of 2021, according to data compiled by criminal justice experts.
Snopes→ Did an Old Toys ‘R’ Us Building Later Become a Gun Store?
We looked for the truth on Google Maps.
Snopes→ Did a Texas Homeowner Shoot 5 Armed Robbers with an AK-47?
A social media meme claimed three of the men died from gunshot wounds during the home invasion robbery, and that two others were injured.
Poynter→ The history of the AR-15 and how it became a symbol of American gun culture
Whether considered an assault rifle or America’s rifle, the AR-15 is emblematic of gun culture in the United States. Gun enthusiasts herald it for its versatility and power, whereas gun […] The post The history of the AR-15 and how it became a
Snopes→ Did CNN, NBC, and ABC Not Cover the Dennis Butler Shooting in West Virginia?
According to The Associated Press, a woman in Charleston, West Virginia shot and killed a man named Dennis Butler who had begun firing an AR-15-style rifle into a crowd at a party.
Snopes→ Is the ’11 Yr Old Who Shot Illegals’ Story True?
According to Facebook posts, an 11-year-old girl named Patricia Harrington was home alone when two armed "illegal aliens" broke in to her Montana home.
Snopes→ Did Reagan Say ‘No Reason’ to Carry Loaded Guns in Public?
Readers emailed us to ask if former U.S. President and California Gov. Ronald Reagan once made a statement about carrying loaded weapons in the streets.
Snopes→ Did Washington Say When Nation Mistrusts Citizens with Guns, the Government Has ‘Evil Plans’?
We don't recommend relying on quote memes as credible sources of information.
Snopes→ Did Reagan Say ‘You Won’t Get Gun Control by Disarming Law-Abiding Citizens’?
A quote meme with former U.S. President Ronald Reagan's image also said "it's a nasty truth" that "those who seek to inflict harm are not fazed" by gun control laws.
Snopes→ Did an Abbott Representative Offer Grieving Uvalde Family Money To Oppose Gun Control?
The rumor originated from a now-deleted Twitter account using the handle @MyCancerJourne3.
Snopes→ Secret Service: Guns Banned at Trump’s NRA Speech in Texas
A tweet shared in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas read, "Guns are banned at the NRA convention in Texas this weekend when Trump speaks. Let that sink in."
Snopes→ Gun Advertised for Sale in Facebook Group that Sought to ‘Dox’ Psaki
According to commerce policies stated by Meta, Facebook's parent company, the sale of firearms is not allowed on its platforms.
Snopes→ California City Approves 1st US Insurance Law for Gun Owners
The San Jose City Council overwhelmingly approved the measure despite opposition from gun owners who said it would violate their Second Amendment rights and promised to sue.
Snopes→ Biden Nominates Gun Control Advocate as ATF Director, Pushes New Exec Orders
Biden has faced increasing pressure to act after a recent series of mass shootings, but the White House has repeatedly emphasized the need for legislative action.
Snopes→ Girl, 11, Brings AR-15 to Idaho Hearing on Gun Legislation
An 11-year-old girl toting a loaded AR-15 assault weapon appeared at a legislative hearing with her grandfather, who is supporting a proposal that would allow visitors to Idaho who can legally possess firearms to carry a concealed handgun within city l
Snopes→ Did Vermont Outlaw Anyone Under Age 21 from Owning a Cellphone?
Any legislator can write legislation, but that doesn't mean it will become law.
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Ronald Reagan Say ‘Under No Pretext Should Arms and Ammunition Be Surrendered’?
Admirers of Republican Party stalwart Ronald Reagan may be disappointed to know that a graphic spreading online falsely credits him with a distorted version of a statement by two men who were not in idealogical alignment with the former United States
Snopes→ Does ‘AR’ in AR-15 Stand for ‘Assault Rifle’?
A frequent misconception centers on what the term "AR-15" literally means.
Truth or Fiction?→ Dear ‘Ban Gun’ Teenagers, 11 Teens Die a Day from Texting and Driving
Facebook status memes about guns in general consistently appear in the now nearly constant wake of mass shootings, but a February 2018 iteration (archived here) aimed at “‘ban gun’ teenagers” puts forth an insincere argument
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Dick’s Sporting Goods Lose $150 Million After Reducing Gun Sales?
On August 15 2019 the following meme (archived here) was shared to social media platforms: White text across a purple background read: Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO: We lost $150M in sales since we stopped selling guns. We still don’t regre
Truth or Fiction?→ Is OfficeMax Selling Bullet-Resistant Backpacks?
On July 28 2019, a Facebook user shared a Snapchat image to Facebook (archived here), apparently showing a sale at OfficeMax of bullet-resistant backpacks. Across the image was text reading “SHIT JUST BROKE MY HEART,” and the following co
Truth or Fiction?→ Mass Shooter Media Myth
On February 2019, television personality John Stossel released a video to Facebook watch, entitled “Media Hype Questionable Gun Control Study/MASS SHOOTER MEDIA MYTH.” That video was first shared to YouTube on December 18 2018. The clip wa
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Former U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis Say that ‘Pantyhose Wearing’ Politicians’ Gun Laws Angered Him?
In January 2019, Facebook page “The Original American Resistance” shared a meme attributing a quote to former United States Secretary of Defense James “Mad Dog” Mattis: The quote at the bottom of the image said: WHAT PISSES ME
Truth or Fiction?→ Have More Americans Died in Gun-Related Incidents Than Wars Since the Founding of the United States?
On December 7 2018, the Facebook page Change The Ref shared this meme (text below): FACT: MORE AMERICANS HAVE DIED OF GUN-RELATED INCIDENTS IN THE LAST FIFTY YEARS THAN HAVE DIED IN WAR SINCE THE COUNTRY’S FOUNDING. A caption with the image read
Snopes→ Does This Video Show an Armed Robber Shot by Every Customer in a Store?
A video showing multiple people pulling their guns and shooting an armed robber is often proffered as support for pro-gun arguments.
Snopes→ Guns Send over 8,000 US Kids to ER Each Year, Analysis Says
In a study looking at data from 2006-14, serious gun injuries including many from assaults sent 75,000 U.S. children and teens to emergency rooms over the nine years.
Snopes→ Judge Blocks Online Plans for Printing Untraceable 3D Guns
U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik extended a temporary restraining order, and his new decision will last until the case is resolved.
Snopes→ Is This a 1950s Women’s Magazine Ad for a Handgun to Shoot ‘Depraved Creeps’?
A vintage women's magazine advertisement for a Colt Cobra revolver for use against 'that strange, depraved creep who won't leave you alone' is a recent fabrication.
Snopes→ Is L.L. Bean Refusing to Hire Registered Gun Owners?
A "satirical" blog used a fake meme to gin up outrage by attempting to link the company to Michelle Obama.
Snopes→ What Does the Effect of a Bullet Fired From an AR-15 Look Like?
Photographs shared widely on social media offer an incomplete explanation of the kinds of damage done by gunshots.
Snopes→ Is State Farm Denying Insurance to Gun Owners?
Both the company and an insurance expert refuted online anecdotes painting the company as hostile toward firearm owners.
Truth or Fiction?→ California Bill Requires Bibles to Be Registered as Assault Weapons-Fiction!
Christians in California Required to Register Bibles as Assault Weapons-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: The California Legislature has advanced a bill requiring Christians to register bibles as assault weapons. The Truth: The Babylon Bee, a website that id