In the course of eliciting support for a so-called "assault weapons ban" from Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Telemundo anchor José Díaz-Balart stated the AR-15 as a firearm not used for defensive purposes despite a body of evidence to the contrary, proving once again that significant erosion (if not outright repeal) of the Second Amendment is the ultimate endgame for our domestic Spanish-language media.
Watch how Díaz-Balart sets up Curbelo's statement on the Enfoque Nunca Más (Never Again) special that aired on Telemundo on Sunday, February 25, 2018:
JOSÉ DIAZ-BALART, TELEMUNDO ANCHOR: Do you think that a firearm such as the AR-15, which is an offensive weapon, not a defensive weapon, is a firearm that should be accessible to all?
U.S. REP. CARLOS CURBELO (R-FL): No military-style firearm should be in the hands of civilians. Those firearms are for the armed forces, for law enforcement as needed, but I do not support that those firearms can be sold, and we have to work in order to make this a reality- and not just (on) gun control, but there were many flaws, many failures. Over these past two years, this young man sent countless signs that he was preparing to do something terrible, and the authorities did not react, so that also has to come into the equation.
The ongoing "weapons of war" campaign to demonize a firearm owned by a significant number of Americans from all walks of life, including those who may be physically unable to operate a handgun for home defense due to recoil continues apace, but is not rooted in fact.
Perhaps Díaz-Balart should tell the Oklahoma man who repelled a home invasion with his AR that he misused his weapon.
Since the horrendous school shooting in Parkland, Florida, there has been much debate about what to do next, and such debate is certainly welcome. Deliberate mischaracterizations such as this one, though, rather than fostering debate, tend to harden both sides- as does imputing motive to inanimate objects rather than to the individuals that choose use or misuse them.
Hopefully, Telemundo returns to its acclaimed "just the facts" ethos from last year.
For additional context, here is a partial transcript of the above-referenced exchange as aired on Telemundo on Sunday, February 25, 2018:
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART, TELEMUNDO ANCHOR: Congressman, you also have children.
REP. CARLOS CURBELO (R-FL): Two daughters, and since this happened, every day that I’ve dropped them off at school, I’ve thought about this tragedy. On Friday, I was able to visit the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School. Um, we reviewed everything that happened there, and I confess that I had trouble sleeping that night. So I can only imagine- or begin to imagine what you (the students) are going through. And the best way, the most concrete way to honor those who lost their lives, as well as the survivors, is through concrete actions to prevent this from happening in the future.
JOSÉ DIAZ-BALART: With what concrete actions, Congressman, do you think you can prevent this from happening?
CARLOS CURBELO: Number one: we have to restrict firearms.
JOSÉ DIAZ-BALART: What does that mean, Congressman?
CARLOS CURBELO: Well, it means, for example, limiting the magazines, no? The quantity of bullets that these guns can shoot. These guns have been...
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART: Do you think that an 18-year-old kid should be able to buy a rifle like this young man did last year?
CARLOS CURBELO: No way. The minimum age for all firearms should be 21 years.
JOSÉ DIAZ-BALART: Do you think that a firearm such as the AR-15, which is an offensive weapon, not a defensive weapon, is a firearm that should be accessible to all?
CARLOS CURBELO: No military-style firearm should be in the hands of civilians. Those firearms are for the armed forces, for law enforcement as needed, but I do not support that those firearms can be sold, and we have to work in order to make this a reality- and not just (on) gun control, but there were many flaws, many failures. Over these past two years, this young man sent countless signs that he was preparing to do something terrible, and the authorities did not react, so that also has to come into the equation.
