The Coronavirus pandemic is likely to change the way anti-gunners operate for a while. Here’s how.
A few months ago, we published an article in our sister publication, Guns & Gadgets Daily, about how to tell when the anti-gunners are going to politicize a mass shooting…and when they won’t. Although I stand by that article, and believe that it’s the model that the gun-grabbers will return to eventually, the COVID-19 pandemic and events surrounding it are going to change things for a while. That’s because right now the anti-gunners are in crisis–we’ll get to why that is very soon–and their desperation is going to become increasingly visible in the coming months. Here’s what to watch for.
1. “Mass Shooting” will be defined down
The first thing we’re already beginning to see is that the anti-gunners and their lapdogs in the mainstream media are changing the parameters of what constitutes a “mass shooting.” As I pointed out in that December article, the actual number of victims has always been less important to the anti-gunners than the identity politics at play. The FBI’s definition of what constitutes a mass shooting is four victims, but alert readers have no doubt noticed that in order for a shooting to get above the fold on the Washington Post, traditionally there needed to be at least 10.
That’s going to go away, because even though many states are lifting stay-at-home orders, social-distancing mandates and limits on gatherings mean that it’s going to be tough to find 10 people all together for months to come. That’s why, even as I type, the gun-grabbers are now starting to refer to gang violence that results in the deaths of a handful of people as “mass shootings.”
2. Identity politics will take a back seat (for now)
In my December article about how anti-gunners love to capitalize on mass shootings, I pointed out that the primary factor that determines whether a particular shooting will make the news and stay there is the racial, religious, and political identity of both the shooter and the victims. That’s going to take a back seat for a little while, because the anti-gunners are in crisis.
What do I mean when I say they’re in crisis? Well, the central mantra of their entire philosophy is that “more guns in American hands always means more crime.” It’s always a crisis when your central mantra is provably false, but the COVID-19 pandemic has really sharpened just how wrong they are. Two months in a row of record-breaking NICS checks mean that thousands of firearms just landed in American hands, so they’re under the gun–so to speak–to try and create the impression that those record-breaking gun sales figures are creating record-breaking crime.
To try and protect their central mantra, the anti-gunners will temporarily sacrifice their burning desire to make every violent act about identity politics. So, just for a little while, expect to see things like gang violence and domestic violence make the news, rebranded as “mass shootings.”
In the past, they’ve avoided doing that because, although gang violence and domestic violence are terrible things, they’re not scary to the average reader. These types of violence are extremely unlikely to reach out past the immediate circle of people involved, and everyone knows it. So expect that the headline will scream about how this is a “mass shooting,” while the eighth paragraph will include the information that the shooter was a gang member who shot other gang members.
Is the above just about the most cynical thing you’ve ever read? Maybe, but I challenge you to keep an eye on the headlines in the mainstream media…you’ll probably see the pattern emerge, too.
Trace, a proud Special Farces who goes commando, is dedicated to pubic service. Although he’s a legend among YouTube commenters, he actually began life as a humble dingleberry farmer. Now, no subject is too moist or sensitive for his incisive odor and scintillating lymph nodes.
John Byrum says
I was a detective when there was a law under consideration for Concealed Carry. I was interviewed and expressed my concern that car wrecks or just arguments were going to end up in shootings. Boy was I wrong. Didn’t take me long to support even constitutional carry. If the democrat party wins and passes more anti gun law against any kind of carry. I will not comply. I will still carry (I’m retired now) every where except federal buildings. No sense in trying to get a federal mandatory prison sentence. I have carried in my local post office though.
Jeff ODell says
You misspelled, “False Flags”.
Rodger Rosie says
The unemployment, financial ruin, and social isolation resulting from this “crisis” is likely to result in more mental and emotional distress. That is likely to result in increased violence, maybe including mass shootings. That of course would be used as justification for widespread gun confiscations. That would be made a lot easier by the newly exercised “emergency” powers we have experienced and suffered under recently.
Johnctee says
Maybe you should ask the people that were injured what they think
JonsOn says
The anti-gunner wants a mass shooting with a white male republican as the assailant. The problem is most are white male democrats.
Daniel says
I don’t renumber who said it but here it is “An armed society is a polite society”
I have found that to be very true.
The safest I have ever felt was in a large group of like minded men who were heavily armed.
Was in South East Asia at the time it was the middle of 1967 to the end of 1968.
I have heard of the coming blood baths when friendly Cary laws were put in effect. Still waiting for the blood baths.
The anti gunners just want to0 disarm us and control us. If one checked it out a very large group of the anti gunners have ARMED body guards. If it was true that taking away the guns will stop many crimes then why do so many of the anti’s have Armed body guards ??
Bruce 'Pilgrim' Stanton says
Writer Robert Heinlein.
Skip Cook says
The releasing of prisoners sounds like a new episode of “The Purge” is forth coming. Anyway, my comment is the news I heard on the radio is about the terrorist attack on NAS Corpus Christi. The news commentator was calling it a mass shooting. One LEO was injured and he used the term “mass”. What’s up with that?
RAB says
Great that you mentioned that. What you would think is that prisoners once released would, sit for a hot minute, then return to their previous vocation, creating a rise in both shooters and victims. Strange this hasn’t happened yet.
So what does this mean? The criminals weren’t as violent as we were told they were? Or they have gotten so much better that they aren’t getting “caught in the act”, by the victims? Or those. Crazy gun owners aren’t “shooting up the town” the way they used to? Something strange is happening. The anti gun narrative isn’t being fulfilled.
My question is, what will they try next? Maybe kung-flu deaths will be publisized as mass killings?
DAV says
Why? Because Lie-beral DEMONocrats are the syndicate of fake, hate, negate, depopulate (abortions), and DOMINATE !
kurzninja says
They’re already doing it with the Westlake Mall shooting yesterday because some idiot decided to shoot up a mostly empty mall. Last I heard, there were 3 injuries and no one died, but they’re still calling it a mass shooting because even though it doesn’t fit the legal definition, it still FEELS like one to them. Even though the shooter was mostly just shooting down empty halls and no one died. Also, even though he’s hispanic, they’re trying to push the “white hispanic’ narrative again to make him a white shooter.
randy bauer says
At the risk of seeming to be a kook, what about possible “engineered” mass shootings by zealots trying to take down the constitution? So far, I’ve seen several shootings that make no actual sense otherwise.
Cliff says
The only thing that seems to be “causing more crime” are the moron “governors” that are releasing prisoners out of jails and prisons “so they won’t catch the virus”…WE have to “shelter in place” while convicts are alllowed to roam the streets, and carry on “their trade”.
Jack Watson says
On the positive side though, a lot of anti-gunners have now become pro-gunners due to the pandemic fear.
Gregory Peter DuPont says
Spot on. I’ve been expecting another” event” with the thought” right on time” as more people buy firearms without incident.
Can’t have reality throw off the narrative,not when November is on the horizon.
Johnctee says
I love the people that waited till a national disaster to buy a gun.