Trump's Second Assassination Attempt Sparks Media's Gun Control Spin and Ghost Gun Misinformation

The news of a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump is still fresh, with many details and motives yet to be revealed. However, that hasn't stopped media pundits from leaping to their favorite policy solution: gun control. It's almost like a knee-jerk reaction at this point. Something happens involving a firearm, and the calls for gun control start echoing before the facts are even fully known. And lurking just beneath the surface of these discussions is the term "ghost gun," which the media seems eager to misapply at every opportunity. In recent years, the media has made "ghost guns" a central focus, often using the term incorrectly to refer to any untraceable firearm, including those that are stolen with scratched-off serial numbers. This incident is shaping up to be no different.

A prime offender in this media circus is none other than former FBI Assistant Director for Counterintelligence and current MSNBC Security Analyst Frank Figliuzzi. During a recent segment, Figliuzzi not only called for a gun grab and the arrest of those involved in manufacturing privately made firearms but also spread misinformation in the process. He framed this incident as proof that firearms, specifically "assault rifles," are the root cause of our inability to protect high-profile individuals like former presidents and even everyday citizens. He pointed to the Secret Service's challenges in open carry states, emphasizing how guns in society, particularly the AK-47, have allegedly made it impossible to ensure safety.

However, there's a glaring flaw in his argument. Florida, where this latest incident occurred, is not an open carry state. This crucial detail seems to have slipped past Figliuzzi in his rush to bolster the narrative. Never mind the facts, the focus is on feeding the narrative that firearms are inherently the problem and that tighter gun control is the solution. Figliuzzi's rhetoric even echoes Obama's infamous "bitter clingers" remark, reducing lawful gun owners to a caricature of people who are holding back societal progress by exercising their Second Amendment rights.

Gun Control Chatter Drowns Out the Facts

The media's predictable pivot to gun control in the wake of this attempted assassination is as unsurprising as it is misleading. Without concrete details about the perpetrator's motives or how the weapon was obtained, the conversation has shifted to the tools rather than the individual's criminal actions. The narrative being pushed blurs the lines between responsible gun ownership and criminal activity, aiming to vilify all firearms and, by extension, lawful gun owners.

Adding to the misinformation is the firearm used in this incident, which had a partially obliterated serial number. While the media hasn't outright labeled it a "ghost gun" yet, it's only a matter of time before they do. They've used this tactic before, conveniently lumping commercially manufactured firearms with defaced serial numbers into the "ghost gun" category to inflate their statistics and stoke fear. This wasn't always the case. Previously, there was a clear distinction between criminals destroying serial numbers on stolen guns and responsible citizens legally building firearms for personal use. However, in their quest to make " ghost guns" a bigger issue, the media and gun control advocates have blurred these lines. By conflating stolen firearms with defaced serial numbers and law-abiding home builders, they serve their anti-gun agenda and create a narrative that unjustly targets responsible gun owners.

Focus on Intent, Not the Tool

This rush to blame firearms instead of focusing on the criminal act ignores a fundamental truth: laws already exist against altering  firearms and committing acts like assassination. Scratching off a serial number is already illegal, and attempting to harm a protected individual is a serious crime. Yet the media narrative suggests that new gun control measures are the answer, despite the reality that more regulations won't deter those intent on breaking the law.

The situation at hand isn't about "ghost guns," open carry, or a lack of gun control. It's about an individual committing an illegal act. Yet the media insists on spotlighting the firearm instead of addressing the person's criminal intent. This narrative serves only to fuel the push for stricter gun laws that infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens while doing little to prevent such incidents in the future.

In the rush to call for gun control, Figliuzzi and others in the media are conflating terms and spreading misinformation to further an agenda. The real question isn't whether Americans have the right to build, own, and carry firearms; it's why the focus isn't on the criminal behavior itself. The law is clear: altering a firearm's serial number is illegal, and so is assassination. More regulations won't change the fact that individuals willing to break the law will continue to do so, regardless of how many new gun control measures are enacted.

Accountability Over Narratives

It's time for a serious discussion about accountability and criminal behavior rather than using these incidents as a springboard for pushing more restrictive gun laws. Many politicians who advocate for stricter  gun control are the same ones promoting soft-on-crime policies, creating a paradox where law-abiding gun owners are targeted while actual criminals face fewer consequences. The media's conflation of firearms with scratched-off serial numbers and "ghost guns" is not just a mistake; it's a deliberate misrepresentation designed to confuse the public and further an anti-gun agenda. If we are going to have a conversation about safety and firearms, it needs to be based on facts, not on narratives that distort the reality of lawful gun ownership.