Arrogant Ignorance

There was a video (now deleted) making the rounds of a CNN reporter demonstrating his ignorance regarding firearms, specifically, what an “automatic weapon” is. During a discussion about the Ferguson riots, reporter Don Lemon confused semi-automatic weapons with automatic weapons. When pressed for clarification by the anchor Ben Ferguson, who noted:

The gun law says that you and I can’t just randomly go out and buy automatic weapons.

Reporter Don Lemon replied:

Listen, during the theater shooting in Colorado, I was able to go and buy an automatic weapon and I, you know, have maybe shot a gun three, four times in my life. I don’t even live in Colorado. I think most people can go out and buy an automatic weapon.

The anchor asked Lemon for his definition of an automatic weapon, and Lemon replied:

For me, an automatic weapon is something that you can shoot off a number of rounds very quickly. I was able to buy an AR-15.

I can accept ignorance regarding firearms from an average man on the street. I cannot, however, accept it in a reporter speaking in support of a point or position. Yet that’s not even the biggest issue with this exchange. Note the first two words in the final quote. Lemon prefaced his response with “for me.” He openly declared that the term automatic weapon means what he decides it means. That’s the Humpty Dumpty school of vocabulary:

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.”

The problem here is that, in the eyes of the law, the word “automatic” in relation to firearms has a very specific meaning, a meaning that is used to establish laws and regulations regarding purchase and ownership, a meaning that is NOT a semantic argument or a personal opinion. For those who aren’t familiar, an automatic weapon is one that continuously fires bullets when the trigger is pulled and held. In contrast, a semi-automatic weapon fires one bullet each time the trigger is pulled. To fire a second bullet, the trigger must be released and pulled again. This video illustrates the difference. While a practiced shooter can fire rapidly with a semi-automatic rifle, he cannot even come close to replicating automatic fire. Semi-automatic vs automatic is a major distinction in operation. It’s also a major distinction in the law.

With exceptions made in some jurisdictions for “assault weapons,” and with exceptions for those jurisdictions that regulate gun rights into oblivion, an average citizen with no criminal record can buy a semi-automatic rifle with a driver’s license and an instant background check. Automatic rifles, also known as Title II weapons, on the other hand, are tightly regulated under federal legislation passed in 1934 and 1968, and owning one requires special licenses.

So, no, Mr. Lemon was not able to go and buy an automatic weapon, his personal definition notwithstanding.

The exchange continued, and Mr. Lemon dug his heels in, accusing Ferguson of “getting into semantics.” To which Ferguson replied:

It’s the difference between breaking the law and not breaking the law.

If you’ve ever had expertise or inside knowledge of a topic being covered by the press, you’re certainly familiar with how stunningly ignorant and wrong the news can be. However, ignorance itself isn’t the problem, since it’s easily remedied by a little homework. The real problem is the arrogance that backs up that ignorance, as evinced by countless examples. When someone engaged in a debate presents a statement of fact that is flat-out wrong, the opinions and conclusions derived from that statement have nothing to stand on. To continue to cling to those opinions and conclusions is a sign of someone who has a predetermined agenda that won’t be dislodged by logic or evidence. There’s no reason to have discussions with such people, and there’s no reason they should be employed by news organizations. Unfortunately, many continue to spout arrogant ignorance with near-impunity from their positions in major news companies.

At least we have the anodyne offered by Youtube and other internet sites. It’s easier than ever to call such people out and mock them for their arrogant ignorance. Mockery is a powerful tool that works quite well on self-important know-it-alls. Use it. They deserve it.