Well, would you look at that. It’s the Left’s favorite gun control scare-tistic, this time being recycled by President Fear-monger.
Obama delivered a short speech about his gun control push Thursday. Naturally, he couldn’t manage his political theater performance without props:
http://twitter.com/GOPfashionista/statuses/317303646041812992
Missed the presser. How many human shields did he bring today?
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) March 28, 2013
"That grief doesn't ever go away," Obama says of families of gun violence victims. More tears on stage. pic.twitter.com/MGznTtDKpR
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) March 28, 2013
Surrounded by the mothers of gun violence victims, Obama attempted to shame citizens and lawmakers into supporting gun control legislation.
Obama at WH event on guns:"Shame on us if we've forgotten. I haven't forgotten those kids."
— Mike O'Brien (@mpoindc) March 28, 2013
The shaming included the discredited statistic that a “loophole” allows “as many as 40 percent of all gun purchases to take place without a background check.”
This isn’t the first time Obama has relied on that bogus figure. In January, he said that “as many as 40 percent of all gun purchases are conducted without a background check.” Even the Washington Post gave that one a couple of Pinocchios.
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But, you know, he did say “as many as,” so technically that would cover the more accurate figure of about 11 percent. Right, you guys? Right?
A “Fact” About Gun Sales That Does Not Hold Up
73% of gun owners say they purchased their firearms. Of that, 63% (not 60%) were purchased through the mail, at a gun store, a pawn shop or other store (other would be Wal-Mart, Gander Mountain, Dick’s Sporting Goods, etc.).
They show that 4% purchased their guns at a gun show. The bulk of sales at gun shows are through FFL’s. But for the sake of the whiners, let’s split it down the middle. 2% at gun shows were through FFL’s and 2% through a private sale. 29% say they acquired their gun from a friend or family member. If we deduct the 24% who say they inherited their firearms or received it as a gift, that leaves us with 5% who purchased it from a family member or friend.
So that leaves 65% of guns purchased where a background check was required. 5% of sales were done between family members and friends without a check. Another 24% were given as gifts or inherited. That leaves the final 6% which were sold in other markets or acquired through a trade. Even if we are generous and include sales between family members and friends, we are left with a figure of eleven percent. Not forty percent.
Are strawmen subject to background checks for guns?
— Queen of England (@QueenLizzyII) March 28, 2013
But if it can save just one child’s life …
Obama is saying this new background check bill prevents criminals from getting guns, he's lying, it doesn't #2A
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) March 28, 2013
Related:
Liberals’ favorite gun control statistic is as real as Manti Te’o’s girlfriend
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