Is Media Matters Attack on Columnist Emily Miller Meant to Change the Subject?

Published on December 12, 2012
Duration: 9:52

This video features Emily Miller of The Washington Times discussing a Media Matters attack on her reporting regarding defensive gun uses. Miller defends the widely cited Gary Kleck statistic of approximately 2.5 million defensive gun uses annually, contrasting it with lower figures from other studies. The discussion extends to the hypocrisy of anti-gun politicians and the ongoing legal battles for concealed carry rights in Illinois and Washington D.C., highlighting the perceived disconnect between gun control advocacy and the reality of crime rates.

Quick Summary

Emily Miller defends her reporting on defensive gun uses, citing Gary Kleck's estimate of 2.5 million annual uses. She contrasts this with lower figures from other studies, noting the difficulty in tracking unreported defensive actions. Miller also discusses political hypocrisy and the ongoing legal battles for concealed carry rights in Illinois and Washington D.C.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction of Emily Miller
  2. 00:13Media Matters Attack on Emily Miller
  3. 00:39Defending Defensive Gun Use Statistics
  4. 00:56Gary Kleck's Research
  5. 01:34Criticism of Anti-Gun Funding Sources
  6. 01:47Hypocrisy of Anti-Gun Politicians
  7. 02:01Case Study: Trotter
  8. 02:45Illinois Court Ruling on Carry Ban
  9. 03:03Debating Defensive Gun Use Numbers
  10. 03:23Clinton-Era Studies on Gun Use
  11. 03:53Net Benefit of Defensive Gun Possession
  12. 04:24Trends in Right to Carry Licenses
  13. 04:53Gun Ownership vs. Crime Rates
  14. 05:13Implications of Illinois Ruling
  15. 05:17D.C. Carry Laws and Rising Crime
  16. 06:08The Deterrent Effect of Citizen Carry
  17. 06:14Who Carries Guns in D.C.?
  18. 06:45D.C. City Council's Stance
  19. 06:56Security Rationale for D.C. Restrictions
  20. 07:14Challenging the Security Argument
  21. 07:42Equality of Rights
  22. 08:01Constitutional Rights in the Nation's Capital
  23. 08:39Illinois Ruling and D.C. Implications
  24. 09:12The Palmer Case in D.C.
  25. 09:32D.C. Council's Resistance
  26. 09:41Conclusion and Thanks

Frequently Asked Questions

What statistic did Media Matters criticize Emily Miller for reporting?

Media Matters attacked Emily Miller for reporting that guns are used approximately 2 million times a year to prevent crime or in defense. They claimed this statistic was untrue and invalid, sparking a debate about the accuracy of defensive gun use data.

What are the different estimates for annual defensive gun uses?

Estimates for annual defensive gun uses vary significantly. Gary Kleck's research suggests around 2.5 million uses. Other studies from the Clinton Administration estimated around 100,000 and another around 1 million defensive gun uses per year.

Why is it difficult to get an exact count of defensive gun uses?

It's challenging to get an exact count because many defensive gun uses, such as brandishing a firearm to deter a criminal without firing, go unreported to police. These incidents often don't enter official crime statistics.

What is the argument regarding gun control and crime rates in Washington D.C.?

The argument presented is that D.C.'s strict gun control laws, particularly the ban on concealed carry, have not deterred criminals. Crime rates, including violent crime and sexual assaults, are reportedly rising, suggesting that allowing law-abiding citizens to carry firearms could act as a deterrent.

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