Speaking Truth to Propaganda

A couple days back, Michael Richardson (Boston Progressive Examiner), relying a little too heavily on Brady Campaign press releases for his "research" on New England area gun laws, wrote:

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has issued a 2008 report card on states' efforts to regulate the sale and ownership of guns. The New England states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont scored low on the ratings scale, in large part to gun show 'loopholes' on waiting periods to own a gun.

[...]

New Hampshire scored lower than Maine with only 11 points out of 100. New Hampshire has no limitations on assault weapons, no restrictions on sale of guns to minors except for licensed gun dealers, no limits on carrying concealed handguns, no licensing or permit requirements, no waiting periods, and universal background checks are not mandatory on all gun sales.

Needless to say, I left an earful in the comments section attached thereto, refuting some of the Brady Bunch lies and misinformation (I know, I'm shocked too) that we've come to know so well.

Mr. Richardson responded:

Thanks to Bruce for his comments. I did indeed rely heavily on the Brady Camapign for details and am distressed at the apparent distortions pointed out by Bruce. I shall get in touch directly with the Brady Campaign and we will get to the bottom of the discrepancy. Stay tuned.

In his follow-up piece, posted yesterday, Mr Richardson concludes:

The Brady Campaign claim about gun sales to minors does not seem to match up with actual statutory language. The question that now faces New Hampshire residents interested in gun safety is can they rely on the Brady Campaign for their facts?

In a word, no.

And, let's HOPE we see more reporting like this in the future, for a CHANGE.