After the mass shooting in Parkland, there were plenty of lies spread about how easy it is to obtain a firearm, and in particular, an AR-15.
One post that went viral claimed that a 20-year-old was able to buy an AR-15 in five minutes with an expired ID (never mind that he didn’t actually purchase the rifle or fill out the paperwork). Worse yet, CBS News posted and then took down a video claiming that it was easier to buy an assault rifle than cold medicine.
Now, after a man in Toronto killed 10 people by running them down with a Ryder van, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof is comparing renting a van to purchasing a firearm and insinuating it’s easier to do the latter.
To get a Ryder truck, you need to pass a driver's test, get a license, obtain insurance–and then you operate a vehicle that the law regulates with seat belts, air bags, etc to make it safer. Actually, vehicle safety is a model for gun safety. https://t.co/PkogSUeQaR
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) April 24, 2018
Yeah, but anyone can just walk into a gun shop and buy a gun, no questions asked, right? Obviously, he’s saying that AR-15s should be retrofitted with airbags and not chainsaw bayonets.
And to be honest, if you are brandishing a firearm in self-defense, the last thing you’re worried about is it being “safe” for the target.
The 98th amendment, I think, is the one dealing with the right to drive a car. https://t.co/edySNzrISo
— David Harsanyi (@davidharsanyi) April 24, 2018
There’s no constitutional right to truck rental.
— mumzie (@spine1692) April 24, 2018
I've considered your idea.
The answer is no. https://t.co/WZ2CuoGYZJ
— RBe (@RBPundit) April 24, 2018
the state of Illinois has a license system called FOID and just look at the city of Chicago and the murder rate or gun crime rate your choice and you see that the license system is no good as for insurance for gun owners what is that to do just cost money and do nothing
— David Blatzheim (@Bassboy990925) April 24, 2018
And do you know who offers gun liability insurance?
The NRA. LOL. https://t.co/5Ddqr6jzBk
— RBe (@RBPundit) April 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/GunnermanBill/status/988852819078901760
https://twitter.com/RobProvince/status/988854551213150208
You don't have to rent a truck, you can steal a truck and still run over people. Criminals do not obey the law, The argument you make is silly https://t.co/YynjuJqlk4
— Tejas Conservative (@TXGaryM) April 24, 2018
Incorrect. Federal law prohibits a convicted felon from purchasing or owning a gun. Are you saying we should be doing the same for driving?
— John Commodore Barry (@ShrinkGov) April 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/ongle/status/988855764705009666
Yet they are still used in vehicular homicides.
How can that be when they passed all those checks?— Kurt Kuczynski (@kurtkuczynski) April 24, 2018
And not one of those requirements stop anyone from driving that van into people to kill them. Murder is already illegal, often punishable by death, and that doesn't stop them. More laws are not the solution.
— Athena (@1trueathena) April 24, 2018
You’ll recall from high school government class that the Founders chose not to give Constitutional protection to truck rental. A somewhat lower standard of importance than guns with which to protect life and liberty.
— Daniel Lee (@RealDanLee) April 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/ESAD55A95/status/988857840726085632
As always, it depends on the human behind the tool.
— PC (@patrick552) April 24, 2018
If Kristof learns anything, we’d hope it would be this: whether someone is murdered with a van or a firearm, let’s blame the person using the tool and not the tool.
* * *
Update:
We saw this last night, but it looks like it would fit well here:
Aurora: AR-15
Orlando: AR-15
Parkland: AR-15
Las Vegas: AR-15
Sandy Hook: AR-15
Umpqua CC: AR-15
Waffle House: AR-15
Texas Church: AR-15
San Bernardino: AR-15— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) April 22, 2018
France – Vehicle
Toronto – Vehicle
Barcelona – Vehicle
Stockholm – Vehicle
Manhattan – Vehicle
London Bridge – Vehicle
Berlin Christmas Market – Vehicle
London (Westminster bridge) – Vehicle https://t.co/crnbcDy0al— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) April 23, 2018
Related:
'I am STUNNED'! Bill de Blasio's response to Toronto attack is a MAJOR lefty no-no https://t.co/cU7v6uPh6b
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) April 23, 2018
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