Highland Park Strong
July 19, 2022
Critical Thinking with News Media Coverage
The Melnick Family is quite devastated with the July 4, 2022 mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois. We donated to one of the go fund me’s and have family members and friends who were both there during the incident, received injuries, and assisted with the recovery of the community.
Marcus was interviewed by a news outlet following the shooting. You can watch the entire news story, here. My interview is at the 4-5 minute mark. Don’t forget to subscribe. Quite frankly, we are thrilled that the offender was arrested.
This article asks you to think critically about the things you hear on the news, which are quite inaccurate. A lot of the news is skewed and affects public perception. Is it the reporters? Not really. It is the so called “experts” who provide incorrect information and skew the listeners and readers.
Did you know that Highland Park already has an “assault weapons” ban, listing the Kel-Tec Sub-2000 as a banned firearm. Not only did the ban not work. If you watch the youtube video linked, you will hear Rachel Jacoby stated:
There are lax gun laws in neighboring states. She went on to say that an Illinois resident could go over the border and purchase a gun to avoid the law. However, this is simply not true. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms opinion [18 U.S.C 922(a)(3); 27 CFR 478.29] Last Reviewed August 31, 2015, says the following, “Generally, a person may only acquire a firearm within the person’s own State. Exceptions include the acquisition pursuant to a lawful bequest, or an over–the–counter acquisition of a rifle or shotgun from a licensee where the transaction is . A person may borrow or rent a firearm in any State for temporary use for lawful sporting purposes.”
Handguns are another story, while a long gun can be purchased from an out-of-state gun store, purchase of a handgun from an out-of-state gun store or private party has a different set of rules. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms opinion [18 U.S.C 922(a)(3) and 922(b)(3); 27 CFR 478.29] Last Reviewed September 16, 2015, says the following…
An unlicensed person who is not prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms may purchase a firearm from an out–of–State source, provided the transfer takes place through a Federal firearms licensee in his or her State of residence.
Layman’s translation: You may purchase a firearm (handgun or long gun) from an out-of-state source, meaning a gun store or a private person, if the firearm is sent to a FFL in the buyer’s state of residency. The FFL will then complete the transfer with the associated background check and paperwork.
Kathleen Sances mentioned that the gun used was a Smith and Wesson M & P AR-15. She further explained that the product line is “Military and Police,” which is used for marketing purposes. There are M&P revolvers.
She also went on to state that we need to regulate “Weapons of War.” Illinois residents cannot own a “Military Grade” weapon. Nothing that the offender had was a “weapon of war.”
We are disgusted at the inaccurate information and would love to educate anyone who is
not sure about guns. Anti-gun activists claim to be experts on firearms, when nothing could be further from the truth.
Think critically. I am happy to discuss this incident, firearms, or the law with you.