According to the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, the three stories constituting news for that paper’s “The Nation” section on pages A 10 and 11 were all shooting related. First there was Jenny Deam’s piece on the fourth school shooting in the Denver area since Columbine in 1999 shootings. http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-shooter-drills-20131218,0,5019781.story#axzz2nxhT70EY
This year’s Dec. 4 shooting at Arapahoe High School spawned the second page A210 story — a profile on the Centennial, Colo., shooter, Karl Pierson. http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-colorado-shooter-targets-20131217,0,3127381.story#axzz2nxhT70EY
Then, on the facing page of national news, Page, A11, John M. Glionna and Matt Pearce’s story told of Tuesday’s shootings at a hospital complex in Reno. http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-reno-shooting-20131218,0,2044179.story#axzz2nxhT70EY
This is not to say these three stories were neither of national importance, nor that they failed to constitute the most significant news of the day. What seems odd, though, is in the midst of so much well-documented news of horrific shootings across the United States, the media carry so few gun-related items.
For example, where are the constant reminders of the numbers of people shot in America as compared to how many are killed in other nations? How about frequent stories of the unethical influence wielded by the National Rifle Association? What about a constant stream of profiles of elected officials and where they stand on gun violence? Or interviews with many gun owners in favor of tougher gun regulations? Or dialogues with teachers concerned about coming to school at a time when so many people are conceal-and-carry advocates.
The media seem to think stories of gun carnage are newsworthy. On the other hand, the media seem to seldom report on gun-related issues. Might there be a disconnect here?