A gun owner’s take on the viral NYC guns with history ad

I have just a few thoughts on last week’s video by the anti-gun group called States United to Prevent Gun Violence.

Let’s start with the basics. There is NOTHING real about this video. We can discuss the challenges behind opening a real gun store (especially in New York City) at another time. Suffice it to say that this video would have been years in the making if they opened an actual gun shop or anything appearing to be an actual gun shop.

As for the “shoppers” — actors. Here are a few clues:

• It is illegal in NYC to HANDLE a firearm without a permit. Either this was staged from the start or there are a few folks that just committed crimes on camera.

• Notice the reactions of the “shopper” after learning about Sandy Hook. Had he not heard of Sandy Hook?

• By the way, did you see the bore size on that “.22”? Fishy.

But enough about the authenticity of this video. Let’s take a look at what was conveniently omitted from video.

First, the Obama administration’s $10 million CDC study that found guns are an effective and often-used crime deterrent and that most firearm incidents are not fatal. Guns are used in self-defense over 2,000 times daily.

Most importantly, these guns did not jump to life, load themselves and shoot movie goers, school kids or fast food patrons. Each had mentally-disturbed human beings behind them pulling the trigger.

Now, let’s get to the part where this video was spot-on. They claim “every gun has a history” and they are right. Of course, they are claiming that there is a nefarious history to each gun.

I see it a bit differently.

States United to Prevent Gun Violence painted each weapon with its own tragedy and labeled it as that weapon’s history. Powerful, if you skipped history class — EVERY history class — since the first grade.

The late American hero, Chris Kyle, was authoring his second book at the time of murder. It has been finished by William Doyle and masterfully outlines the true history of 10 very special guns. From the American Long Rifle to the Colt Single-Action Army Revolver to the M16, “American Gun” tells the real story of our nation’s firearm tradition.

As for MY guns, each has its own history. From my 12 gauge that was presented to me on my 13th birthday from my grandfather (and life hero) to my .22 rifle that I have used to teach my children how to safely handle and fire a firearm. The stories, the history behind each gun is rich and meaningful. There is nothing evil about my collection’s history. And I am only one of tens of millions with similar stories.

The hard truth for anti-gun nuts like States United to Prevent Gun Violence is that it was the use of guns that won, secured and today protect their First Amendment right to make misleading videos like this one without fear of government intervention. Let THAT one sink in…