The War on [toy] Guns

Have you noticed all of the buzz about so-called "replica" guns lately? I think I've seen a dozen stories in the last week about someone getting in trouble with Airsoft or BB-guns. Here are a few:

• Man slain by police was pointing replica gun and Police: Man had fake gun before officers fatally shot him
• Robber uses toy gun to rob church group
• Is the gun real or a fake? Phony weapons more prevalent; police ...
• Gun report locks schools

I think it's important for us to pay attention any time the big media starts on a trend like this. It's important because they shape public opinion, which in turn drives ratings and eventually pushes for even more reporting on the subject. You know what happens every time the public gets really riled up about something. Invariably someone decides "something must be done"about this "alarming trend" (which is really a trend in reporting, not necessarily a trend in actual events). For instance; do you remember all of the "prison escape" stories we heard the weeks following the debut of the show "Prison Break?"

The danger isn't the reporting itself (which is annoying) or even the shift in public opinion (which is sad). No, the real danger is the person who first decides "something ought to be done about this". "There ought to be a law...", they will conclude. It's when we start hearing these sort of statements in conjunction with news trends that our ears ought to perk up. When that starts to happen, the freedom grabbing Statists will heed the call to action.

So be careful what you ask for. Big Brother will always be more than happy to trade you a little temporary security in exchange for your essential liberties.