CN Live | The Media's Dishonesty about Guns - 4/4/17

Published on April 5, 2017
Duration: 11:38

This video discusses media inaccuracies regarding firearms, particularly suppressors (often mislabeled as silencers). It highlights how Hollywood and news outlets perpetuate myths about suppressors making guns silent, when in reality, they reduce sound by approximately 30 dB, still leaving them loud and potentially damaging to hearing. The discussion also debunks common statistics about gun violence by emphasizing the significant portion attributed to suicides and the lack of context provided by media outlets.

Quick Summary

Firearm suppressors reduce gunshot noise by about 30 dB, from 165 dB to 135 dB, still loud enough to damage hearing. Media often mislabels them 'silencers,' a Hollywood term, obscuring their function as hearing protection. Statistics on gun deaths are frequently presented without context, such as the high rate of suicides.

Chapters

  1. 00:08Introduction: Media Inaccuracies on Guns
  2. 00:51Ash Scow's Article on Guns and Media
  3. 01:20The Myth of 'Silencers'
  4. 01:56Actual Sound Reduction of Suppressors
  5. 02:41Suppressors as Hearing Protection
  6. 03:34The Sonic Boom Factor
  7. 04:00Media Focus on Suppressor Detection
  8. 04:20Witnesses Misinterpreting Gunshots
  9. 05:18Gun Accuracy in Media (The Walking Dead)
  10. 05:37Journalists' Opposition to Guns
  11. 06:07Journalists Experiencing Firearms Firsthand
  12. 07:04Parroting Gun Control Activists
  13. 07:16Misinterpreting Gun Death Statistics
  14. 08:01Deep Dive into the 30,000 Gun Deaths Stat
  15. 08:40International Suicide Rate Comparisons
  16. 09:43Drivers of Media Misinformation
  17. 10:02Ignorance, Laziness, and Belief
  18. 11:09Conclusion and Future Segments

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do firearm suppressors actually reduce gunshot noise?

Firearm suppressors typically reduce the sound of a gunshot by about 30 decibels (dB). This brings the noise level down from approximately 165 dB to around 135 dB, which is still loud enough to cause hearing damage and is comparable to the sound of a jackhammer.

Why are firearm suppressors often called 'silencers' in the media?

The term 'silencer' is largely a Hollywood invention, popularized by movies like James Bond. Media outlets often adopt this term, creating a false impression that suppressors completely eliminate gunshot noise, when in reality, they only significantly reduce it.

What is the primary purpose of a firearm suppressor?

While often mischaracterized, a primary function of a firearm suppressor is to act as hearing protection. In defensive situations, it can help prevent permanent hearing damage to the shooter and bystanders from the loud report of a firearm.

How do media statistics on gun deaths often mislead the public?

Media statistics frequently omit crucial context. For example, the widely cited figure of 30,000 annual gun deaths includes a significant percentage of suicides, and comparisons to other countries often ignore differing cultural factors and methods of self-harm.

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