A spokesman for the group explains the importance of not making “superstars” out of absolute murderers.
At a time when the media appears to be glorifying, well, everything, the Gun Owners of America have a simple request – stop making superstars out of killers.
The group recently issued a public service announcement, asking for the public, mass media and big tech to stop sharing the names and photographs of mass killers. It’s a policy they stand strongly behind, and for good reason.
Dr. Jordan Peterson has noted that a number of these criminals seek fame for their actions, with research indicating that their actions could cause others to follow with a “contagion” or “copycat” effect.
This comes after the shooting at the Apalachee High School, which forced X/Twitter owner Elon Musk to temporarily restrict those from researching the name of the shooter. However, several big tech websites make that information all too easy to find.
Aidan Johnston, GOA’s Director of Federal Affairs, said, “It’s incumbent upon the media, big tech, and anyone else with a large following to take voluntary and reasonable measures to deny mass killers the free publicity they are seeking. This concept is not new, as quite often a similar practice is already employed when discussing suicides.
“There’s no reason we cannot, as a society, urge these companies to adopt a similar practice, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact in reducing mass killings.
“GOA is working for real solutions that will have an impact while respecting Americans’ civil liberties, and we won’t stop fighting for that.”
Sam Parades, another Gun Owners of America spokesman, is available to speak on this subject, serving as Executive Director of the Gun Owners of America.
Stephen Willeford, the 2017 “hero with a gun” who serves as the spokesman for the Gun Owners of America, is also available for interview.
Q&A:
- Why is it so easy for the media and big tech websites to share information on dangerous individuals?
- Why do they provide such information in the first place? For the web traffic? For the attention? A little bit of both?
- What is the big problem with sensationalizing the actions of mass killers, like the school shooters?
- Can anything be done about it? Or is big tech and media so out of reach that it’s literally impossible to stop?
- How can people help the Gun Owners of America in spreading the word?
- FOR STEPHEN: You recently wrote a book called A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy, revolving around your 2017 “hero with a gun” situation. Tell us more about how this came together, and why it’s such an important read right now.
- FOR STEPHEN: Where can people find your book?
- Where can we learn more about you, as well as Gun Owners of America?
- You can learn more at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com. You can also read more about the Gun Owners of America at https://www.gunowners.org/.
About Sam Paredes…
Sam Paredes has been with Gun Owners of California for over 35 years, currently serving as Executive Director, a position he has held since 1998. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Gun Owners of America and Treasurer of Gun Owners Foundation.
GOC is a non-profit lobbying organization formed to protect and preserve our Second Amendment rights in California. Paredes is a registered lobbyist, has testified in hundreds of legislative committee hearings and has advocated on behalf of the gun community before the California Fish and Game Commission, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Justice.
Paredes has been interviewed by virtually every California news outlet as well as national and international media such as Fox News, ABC World News Tonight, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, the Larry Elder Show, Al Jazeera and the BBC (Britain and Australia) as an expert on gun laws in the Golden State. He is a frequent speaker before conservative groups and has given workshops on “Confrontational Politics” in Missouri, Nevada and throughout California and has served as co-host of Sacramento’s “Just Guns” radio show on Money 105.5 FM.
About Stephen Willeford…
Stephen represents Gun Owners of America and is known around the country as the “good guy with the gun” for helping stop the largest Texas mass shooting in the history of the state in 2017. He is available to speak about all gun rights issues, as well as the importance of Gun Owners of America. You can read more about him at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com.
CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or by email Jerry McGlothlin at bookings@specialguests.com.
