Nets Pump Inflated Stat on Shootings to Push Gun Control, Absolve Far-Left Cities of Blame

ABC, CBS and NBC promoted the inflated definitions of mass shootings by the Gun Violence Archive on Monday morning newscasts. This was in response to weekend shootings in Chattanooga and Philadelphia. They also excused far-left prosecutors and cities from any responsibility for crime spikes.

The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as an event in which four or more people are shot and/or killed (minus the gunman), but as we’ve Discussed at NewsBusters, it’s a dubious measurement that one crime expert called “confusing” Gun violence can also include home invasions, shootings by accident, and self-defense. “and everything else.”

For one story, our Nick Fondacaro spoke with The Reload’s Stephen Gutowksi, who said Gun Violence Archive’s measuring stick “increases the number of mass shootings by a factor of ten or more.”

On Monday however, all that was irrelevant.

“According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least a dozen mass shootings this weekend alone, parents and children around the country on edge,” said ABC’s Janai Norman during both of her reports on Good Morning America.

Norman also followed the lead of her colleagues in refusing to call out Soros-backed districts attorneys, chalking it up to “the sheer number of firearms out there.”

Co-host Michael Strahan and Justice correspondent Pierre Thomas also cited the Gun violence Archive to claim there’s been “33 mass shootings” since the Uvalde, Teas shooting and “246 mass shootings” in 2022.

Thomas said it was all proof that they’re “becoming as American as apple pie.”

Congressional correspondent Rachel Scott did her part, insisting new polling proves “[t]his issue is top of mind for the American people” and a lynchpin to the midterm elections.

George Stephanopoulos, co-host of the show, also spoke out about their metrics in half an hour at 7:30 AM. “There’s been an average of more than one mass shooting a day this year.”

They have made it quite clear they don’t support gun rights. CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King implored viewers to “listen to the numbers” about 13 mass shootings.

Correspondent Jericka Duncan used her report from Philadelphia to wallow with Soros-backed DA Larry Krasner (D) and gun control advocate Daniel Webster (click “expand”):

DUNCAN: Larry Krasner, the district attorney of Duncan, echoes this sentiment.

KRASNER, We have 120 guns to 100 people. That’s ridiculous. It is meant to be a nation of people, and not one of guns.

DUNCAN [TO KRASNER]This year, there have been 211 homicides. 743 nonfatal shooting victims. Where should you go?

KRASNER. The city must change. KRASNER: That is the bottom line.

(….)

WEBSTER – As 2022 approaches, we are seeing an increase in violence in many areas, along with some mass shootings.

DUNCAN: Daniel Webster heads the Center for Gun Violence Solutions, Johns Hopkins University. Gun violence has risen in recent years, and he identifies reforms supported by the public such as stricter licensing laws and thorough background checks that can be used to support evidence-based solutions.

WEBSTER: There is a disconnect between the desires and needs of the public and the actions taken by policymakers.

DUNCAN – Experts believe that gun violence will increase this summer as it follows the annual trend. Additionally, District Attorney Krasner stated that 28 percent of fatal shootings have been solved. It isn’t enough to deter criminals from committing these crimes.

Notice that, out of a multitude of issues, there wasn’t one peep regarding a drop-in. VerurteilungenOn those who were charged with gun crime.

NBC’s TodayThis tease was provided by Savannah Guthrie, co-host. “Under the gun. A weekend of staggering violence in America. In just 48 hours, 13 mass shootings took place. Scenes of chaos from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Philadelphia.”

Guthrie then added the following: “In all, there were at least 13 shootings over the weekend, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which keeps track.”

Gabe Gutierrez (correspondent) would be doing the same with Hoda Kokotb (who also had a briefing in the Eastern time at 8:00 AM). Gutierrez also touted calls for gun control from actor Matthew McConaughey (click “expand”): 

GUTIERREZ. Back-to-back, deadly shootings that capped a week of violence against guns across the nation. The Gun Violence Archive reports that there were 13 mass shootings throughout the nation since Friday. Mass shootings are defined as at least four shootings, not counting the shooter.

(….)

GUTIERREZ:  And just this morning, actor Matthew McConaughey, who was born in Uvalde, is out with a new op-ed calling for changes that he says will prevent gun violence, including raising the age limit to buy an assault rifle to 21 and instituting a national waiting period for assault rifle purchases.

(….)

KOTB: The recent spate of mass shootings in America has not slowed down. There were 13 such incidents in the past weekend. Gun Violence Archive says at most 12 people have been killed since Friday and that 40 are injured. 

Monday’s misinformation was brought to you thanks to advertisers such as Claritin (on CBS), and Subaru (on ABC), and Wayfair (on NBC). Follow the links to see their contact information at the MRC’s Conservatives Fight Back page.

Click here for ABC or CBS, and here to see the transcripts of June 6.