A.J.P. Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 (edited) Hi guys, I've just seen that The Sun has issued an apology (of sorts) for their misrepresentation of .22LR moden sporting rifles in their contentious ‘Massacre guns on sale in UK’ front page article from a few weeks ago. http://www.thesun.co...rification.html As usual, it's about half way down their online news page - I've no idea where (or even if) it appears in the print version. It seems that the response from shooters to the PCC didn't go unheard over at News International. Edited January 24, 2013 by A.J.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 I thought there was a rule that apologies should be on the same page and in the same size type as the original article? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.J.P. Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 (edited) I'm afraid that I wouldn't know Wookie - although if the clarification was all printed in the same font size as the original front page headline (classic Sun), it would most likely take up the entire newspaper! Edited January 24, 2013 by A.J.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikaveli Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 I thought there was a rule that apologies should be on the same page and in the same size type as the original article? Nah... they recommend that they try to place them within three pages of the original... so page 74 it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikaveli Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 I've just seen that The Sun has issued an apology (of sorts) for their misrepresentation of .22LR moden sporting rifles in their contentious ‘Massacre guns on sale in UK’ front page article from a few weeks ago. As usual, it's about half way down their online news page - I've no idea where (or even if) it appears in the print version. It seems that the response from shooters to the PCC didn't go unheard over at News International. It's hardly an apology. The point was, the Ruger is in no way an 'assault rifle' - heck, you could even argue that the bushmaster .223 isn't an assault rifle. It's still grossly misleading - when the public hears the phrase 'assault weapon / rifle' and 'semi automatic' they associate it with fully automatic weapons - many still think that's what's legal in the UK. Also, them acknowledging that the Ruger used a .22 vs. .223 just makes it look (to joe public) that the bigger gun is only 1.3% more powerful than the .22 LR! This is the problem with the PCC - they have absolutely no power! They can't issue fines, make publications issue apologies on certain pages or impose any real sanction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.J.P. Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 (edited) It's certainly frustrating for such a misleading and potentially damaging front page article to receive the inadequate clarification that it has. However, I personally take a degree of satisfaction in the fact that a response from shooters to the PCC regarding the article prompted action from The Sun. It may go some small (perhaps very small) way towards making the paper less willing to print another such sensationalist article in future - I wouldn't hold my breath too long however. Edited January 24, 2013 by A.J.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 (edited) At least it shows that our complaint did actually do something, it may not be the front page, grovelling apology that we all wanted but it shows that shooters have a voice. I'm sure if BASC, CPSA etc had bothered to make a fuss then we may have got a better apology but why should they........they only represent shooters. NRA removed as it seems that they did make an effort Edited January 24, 2013 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe99 Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 At least it shows that our complaint did actually do something, it may not be the front page, grovelling apology that we all wanted but it shows that shooters have a voice. I'm sure if BASC, NRA, CPSA etc had bothered to make a fuss then we may have got a better apology but why should they........they only represent shooters. The NRA did write to the Sun to complain (taken from NRA Website): Dear Mr Millard I read your article published in the Sun today with some concern. At best the article is misleading - I assume this is due to a lack of accuracy of the facts you have researched. Please note the following:- (1) The weapons you refer to in the article as 'lethal assault rifles' are small calibre (.22) rifles - these are typically used for target shooting and the control of small vermin (rabbits and rats) and accurate at distances to a maximum of 100 metres or so. (2) The rifle allegedly used in the awful shooting at Newtown was a substantially more powerful weapon (.223); can be used to control large animals such as deer; and is effective over long distances up to 600m. (3) Imitation of form does not confer function - the Ruger SR-22 may look like an assault rifle but is definitely not an assault rifle. Military assault rifles are typically fully automatic i.e. they fire continuously when the trigger is pulled. (4) Small calibre rifles such as .22 can indeed be used to lethal effect, as can kitchen knives found in every home and the average family car. The incidence of crimes involving legally held rifles is a tiny fraction of those involving the use of knives and motor vehicles. (5) Firearms licensing in the UK is completely different to that in the USA ? owning firearms in the USA is a right but wholly a privilege in the UK. We have some of the most demanding and restrictive legislation relating to firearm ownership anywhere in the world. (6) Criminals will not apply for a Firearm certificate to gain ownership of a rifle for illegal use - they will not want their ownership recorded by the police and will use smuggled and other illicit firearms. The National Rifle Association in the UK is a registered charity charged with promoting the sport of target shooting. New entrants to the sport undergo a strict and comprehensive probationer training course, and their conduct is carefully controlled. Each month Sport England estimate approx. 120,000 people participate in the sport of shooting. Our reactions to the events at Newtown are those of any sane and decent person - shock, horror, and profound sadness. I know News International, as a responsible publisher, is determined to present articles honestly, accurately and fairly; and I look forward to seeing your reporting of the facts supplied above to correct the impressions resulting from your original article. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information. Yours Andrew Mercer Chief Executive, National Rifle Association. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 nothing suprises me where the sun is concerned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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