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Appallingly Bad Fox News Report on Gun Used in Brown Shooting

The “expert analysis” with regards to firearms (ok, it’s not just firearms, but we’re going to focus on firearms for this discussion) found on major news outlets is, in most cases, awful. This includes Fox News.

It’s no secret that most folks in the pro-gun movement tend to lean Republican, and who can blame them? It seems that every time we turn around, the Democrats are rallying the troops to enact some new level of tyranny, and it usually (but not always) involves the Second Amendment. Because of this tendency to be right leaning politically, it’s been my observation that most folks in the pro-gun crowd get their news from right leaning news outlets, of which there’s really only one: Fox News.

Related: It’s Bigger than the Second Amendment

Well guess what? Fox is really no better than the rest when it comes to firearms analysis. Case in point is this report from On the Record hosted by Greta Van Susteren, where ‘On the Record’ took “a closer look at the type of gun used to kill Michael Brown,” which incidentally is reported to be a SIG P299 chambered in .40 S&W.

The interview with the unidentified “expert” is absolutely terrible, viewer discretion advised. Not for language or adult material, but because of the incredible amount of stupid found in the video. Let me give you a few of the highlights.

The “expert” starts off by identifying the handgun, and then proceeds to tell the interviewer that “what is significant about this is the magazine – the magazine holds 12 rounds.” Um, ok. If by “significant” you mean “pretty much standard for this size of semiauto chambered in .40 S&W” then yeah.

While explaining how significant the magazine capacity is to the interviewer, “expert’s” P229 had a chambered round. You know this because he proceeds to insert the magazine, rack the slide, and a round is ejected. Then “expert” puts his finger on the trigger and continues to enlighten viewers as seen by the screen capture below.

Fox-News-Expert

Now to one of my personal favorites, where “expert” talks about collecting DNA from Officer Wilson’s gun. “You notice up front here, there’s a very sharp rigid edge sight, and if you touch that, you can automatically cut yourself.” Presented without comment.

A short time later, the interviewer asked “expert” if he thought it was possible that Officer Wilson was walking or moving when he fired at Michael Brown. “Expert” responded “oh absolutely, he would have had to of been [moving], and that’s from eye witness accounts.” The interviewer then asks for a demonstration, and “expert” is only too happy to oblige.

He proceeds to fire one-handed, while walking towards his target, until he reaches slide lock (which “expert” calls “springs back”). If I knew how to make an animated gif, I would, but instead I’ll give you a screenshot. According to “expert”, this is how it went down. Keepin’ it gangsta.

Fox-News-Expert2

There’s more, like “expert” saying that “every law enforcement officer is taught the same identical thing” and saying that the Brown head shot came from Wilson firing at Brown while Brown was “going down,” but I think you get the point. It’s really ridiculous, and though I’m no lawyer, potentially slanderous.

My point in all of this is that Fox News is really no better than the rest. If you want to continue to watch Fox News (I don’t), by all means go for it, but please remember that you’re being fed filtered entertainment, not “expert analysis.”

Here’s the link to the video if you think you can stomach it, H/T to Frank Sharpe from Fortress Defense, who rightfully points out that the whole thing is one big potential jury poisoning.

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13 Responses to Appallingly Bad Fox News Report on Gun Used in Brown Shooting

  1. Aaron August 28, 2014 at 10:57 am #

    Excellent article. I find it just a bit disturbing that your only qualifications to being an “expert” on camera for the media seems to be actually being in the same place as the camera. This guys firearms knowledge and knowledge of proper training is equal to my knowledge on space travel….I can tell you how it happens, but you shouldn’t trust me to drive.

    • Brandon August 28, 2014 at 11:01 am #

      Exactly.

  2. Mike August 28, 2014 at 11:15 am #

    My head hurts now.

  3. Jim August 28, 2014 at 11:18 am #

    The guy is one of Fox’s retired cop analysts. This guy used to be on the DC police force I believe as a detective. That being said I think the vast majority of so called experts don’t exist except in their own mind.

  4. Robert Michaud August 28, 2014 at 11:18 am #

    I believe he is a retired DC homicide detective. I have seen him in so called “expert” panels before. Disgusted with what I saw. He kept speaking in absolutes. Good luck to Ofc. Wilson.

  5. cjperisho August 28, 2014 at 11:53 am #

    Not to mention he muzzled the reporter at least once, and near the end of the interview, he points it in the other direction, likely muzzling the crew member seen behind the firing line earlier in the video.

  6. Jim August 28, 2014 at 1:07 pm #

    By the way did anybody see where PD killed a crew member of the “Cops” show during a shoot out. Guy was wearing a BRV and apparently bullet went through gap at armpit.

  7. Derek A. Crase August 28, 2014 at 1:52 pm #

    I don’t remember his name, I’ll look for it… but he’s NO expert, he’s a prosecutor (or former) and a “Fox News Contributor” he may have some fire arms experience (albeit lacking) but expert ??? NO…

  8. Vince Warde August 28, 2014 at 3:36 pm #

    This guy is a former DC homicide detective who is a frequent commentator on Fox and even more frequently on Greta’s show. My guess is that he got pressed into doing this. He should stick to his field of expertise – and guns is not it.

    • TK August 28, 2014 at 3:42 pm #

      Was he “pressed into” making idiotic, slanderous comments, putting his finger on the trigger when not shooting, muzzling people, and accidentally ejecting a live round?

    • Frank Sharpe August 30, 2014 at 5:56 pm #

      I wonder how many innocent people were charged and guilty people walked because of his poor detecting skills?

  9. tarfu August 29, 2014 at 6:32 pm #

    I saw someone ski once…now I’m “qualified” to give “expert” advice on all things skiing.

  10. Dave September 20, 2014 at 4:30 pm #

    I was actually amused by this as I watched on FOX, when it originally aired, but I get your point. The guy was a former D.C. cop and a Fed, but his primary expertise is he is now an active lawyer. Perhaps sending objections to Greta and or Fox would yield some benefit.

    Here is the link to small profile

    http://gretawire.foxnewsinsider.com/2012/06/07/check-out-this-article-from-ted-williams-hometown-newspaper-in-lake-charles-louisiana/