The media bias against self-defense

By Patrick Morton

Student and South Dakotan

SD School of Mines and Technology

Apparently there are several conventions that those in the media must use when commenting about civilians carrying guns:

1.  The term “Wild West” must be used.

2.  The term “packing heat” must be used.

3.  The rights to own firearms and to self-defense must be begrudgingly acknowledged while, concurrently, carrying a gun must be discouraged by subtly or explicitly implying such action would only be taken by “trigger-happy” vigilantes.

All three of these precepts have been employed in numerous recent local and national news pieces on topics such as open carry, college carry, McDonald, Heller, etc. Their use should offend gun owners, second amendment advocates, and citizens of western states such as South Dakota. When our local newspapers and broadcast stations rely on these clichés we should inform them with our calls, letters, and wallets, that we do not appreciate such lazy reporting.

The “Wild West” referred to in many articles has never existed – except on television and movie screens, and in cheap novels and poorly-researched history texts. The use of the term disparages both the journalists responsible and the citizens of western states. The true history of the west in the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth century is too complex and too important to the development of our nation to allow such generalization.

Many South Dakotans possess concealed carry permits. Furthermore, anyone who can legally possess a handgun can openly carry it in a holster in public (no permit necessary, nor should one exist), except within school zones, bars and government buildings. Many South Dakotans choose to carry a gun for self-defense – this is a good thing, no euphemism (e.g. “packing heat”) needed. No one should need to hide their desire to defend themselves or their loved ones; no one should be berated for feeling that their life is worth defending with lethal force.

Police training provides familiarity with certain weapons and ingrains quick responses to common law enforcement situations; it does not develop a Jedi-like superhuman mastery of firearms. Our police department does an excellent job. They are well trained and perform their duty (enforcing the law) efficiently and politely. However, it is impossible for them to have instantaneous responses or to protect everyone everywhere every time. This is not a slight, but an acknowledgment of the laws of physics.

Citizens who carry firearms are not vigilantes. They are not “aggressive” or “overzealous,” and they do not go out looking for dangerous situations to throw themselves into. An attack by a criminal is often a surprise, and the difference between life and death for the victim can rest on milliseconds. Such a situation requires bold behavior. This means shooting to stop and may result in the death of the attacker.

Please keep these points in mind and speak out when your local news makes the mistakes mentioned above. To them you are much more than just another reader or viewer – you are an important source of income. And remember:

When a victim fights back and wins it is never “poetic justice” - It is justice.