Tonight at 11:00

***** POST UPDATED - SCROLL DOWN *****

On Channel 7 News (WHDH TV - Boston)

Weapons on the Web

They're illegal, dangerous and easy to buy, and these deadly weapons are making their way into the hands of criminals. We go undercover to expose easy access to "Weapons on the Web"

"Weapons on the Web," tonight at 11 p.m. on 7 News.

Be sure to have your fearmonger-o-meters properly calibrated and zeroed prior to airtime. You wouldn't want to get any erroneous readings.

Bear in mind, that in the "progressive" paradise of Massachusetts, this deadly weapon (formerly available at Toys R' Us for $4.99) is "illegal".


Attorney General Tom Reilly says so.

Home Page > Consumer Protection > Consumer Advisories > December 30, 2003

POST-HOLIDAY ADVISORY TO CONSUMERS: "SUPREMO SLINGSHOT" POSES DANGERS TO KIDS, IS PROHIBITED BY MASSACHUSETTS LAW

CONSUMER ADVISORY

Consumers Should Return Item to Store for Refund

Attorney General Tom Reilly is urging any Massachusetts consumers who purchased a dangerous slingshot "toy," the Supremo Slingshot, at any Toys "R" Us store to return the item for a full refund. The national retailer removed the toy from its shelves after AG Reilly's Office contacted the company with concerns about the product, which falls under the state's prohibited weapons statute.

IWIWMTSU

UPDATE: Gee, that was some hard-hitting, informative journalism.

Not.

The piece started out by recounting the story of 22-year-old Susannah Richardson who was attacked in October on her way home one night by a man with a stun gun. They then showed their reporter going on-line to purchase a stun gun and have it shipped to a Massachusetts address. Their whole point was to show how easy it is to obtain stun guns and switchblades over the internet.

You know what else is "easy" to do?

Driving through Downtown Crossing at noontime, running over every pedestrian you see.

Dropping bowling balls off of highway overpasses onto unsuspecting motorists below.

Soaking an occupied house with gasoline and setting it on fire, killing everyone inside.

Just like buying a stun gun on-line, all these acts are "easy" to do.

Now, what do they all have in common? They all involve the use of "legal" items, but require that a conscious decision be made by an individual bent on violating the law and bringing harm to others.

Gee, it's almost as though it's the criminals who are causing the crime in our communities. Who knew?

I wonder if the folks at Channel 7 would have felt better had Ms. Richardson been attacked by a thug carrying a hammer. Or a rock, maybe.

As I said over at Derek's place yesterday:

You want readily available deadly weapons? Try walking through your local Home Depot.

Chain saws
Hammers
Axes
Saw blades
Pipe Wrenches
Screwdrivers
Knives
(insert your favorite hand or power tool here)

You think the "concerned" news media would care more about these deadly weapons that can be purchased by anyone with cash in hand, no license, no waiting period, no age limit, and no credit card required.

You know...for the children, and all.