If so-called “mainstream” media aren’t permitting spurious comparisons of National Rifle Association members to the barbaric terror group Islamic State, they are actually quoting the terrorist organization’s propaganda rag, Rumiya. A terrorist jailed in Germany wrote the item recently cited by The Washington Post in its article titled “Islamic State magazine steers followers to U.S. gun shows for ‘easy’ access to weapons.” In its latest online issue, the terror group praises the ease of buying firearms in America and urges members to do so in furtherance of their murderous pursuits.
Instead of The Washington Post debunking the many errors in the piece, editors there chose to carry water for the terror group. Note the irony: If this person were in Syria, he might not even possess the electronic means, or the electricity required, to transmit such garbage in the first place.
First, note that there is absolutely no examination by the Post of the glaring and inconvenient fact that ISIS claims to have many adherents right here in our own country. Wouldn’t an investigation into that be more beneficial than parroting the lies of killers whose chief aim is to murder as many Americans as possible?
It’s ridiculous to cite ISIS puffery when referring to American gun laws and the Second Amendment.For example, how are members of ISIS entering the country? By any means necessary, though it doesn’t appear difficult, as they have ready access through our open borders, our unattended Visa Waiver system and entrance as supposed refugees. The Islamic State proudly proclaims its aim to infiltrate our country utilizing those means, but The Washington Post would rather discuss the supposed free access to firearms that Americans enjoy.
It’s ridiculous to cite ISIS puffery when referring to American gun laws and the Second Amendment. Why? Well, feast your eyes on this Washington Post quote from the Islamic State jailbird: “The acquisition of firearms can be very simple depending on one’s geographical location. In most U.S. states, anything from a single-shot shotgun all the way up to a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle can be purchased at showrooms or through online sales—by way of private dealers—with no background checks, and without requiring either an ID or a gun license.”
Let’s clear that up. Can any person buy a firearm online without a background check? No. This lie is often parroted by the gun control activists in Congress and online. Firearms purchased through federally licensed firearms dealers must include a background check, whether made online or in person. Plus, more than 75 percent of firearms sellers at gun shows are FFLs, meaning they are required by law to check the buyer's background. Many gun shows also require the remaining gun sellers to run background checks in order to participate.
More from the Islamic State article: “With approximately 5,000 gun shows taking place annually within the United States, the acquisition of firearms becomes a very easy matter.” This is an outright lie. Criminals, who get the bulk of their guns by illegal means, find it no easy matter to steal firearms or acquire them illegally. It actually takes time and an extensive criminal network to purchase a gun illegally on the street.
The Rumiya propaganda piece also encourages jihadists to rob gun stores to get firearms if they cannot acquire them by other means.Are the guns used in terror attacks purchased at gun shows? According to the Justice Department, less than 1 percent of inmates in federal and state prisons acquired the guns used in their crimes at gun shows. Conversely, 40 percent of felons described obtaining their firearms illegally. This was mentioned nowhere in The Washington Post article.
The Rumiya propaganda piece also encourages jihadists to rob gun stores to get firearms if they cannot acquire them by other means. ISIS actually warns their jihadis not to “ask for help from strangers” because of the likelihood of becoming caught up in an FBI sting operation. This highlights an inherent danger in the Post sharing the parts of ISIS’ messaging that is helpful to gun control activists: Getting ISIS’ “easy access to guns” talking point across encourages law breaking, which is part and parcel of what ISIS does.
Gun owners know these facts, as we’ve gone through the background check process at least once, and often many times. That matters little to The Washington Post, whose writers appear to favor denigrating anything having to do with firearms.
Stacy Washington is a decorated Air Force veteran, Emmy-nominated TV personality and host of nationally syndicated radio program “Stacy on the Right,” based in St. Louis. She loves God, guns, and is a member of the NRA, obviously.
