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‘Answer My Question!’: Angry Piers Morgan Berates Gun Advocate Over How Many Bullets an AR-15 Can Fire in One Second (Featuring TheBlaze’s Will Cain)

Dec. 19, 2012 11:30pm Jason Howerton

The gun control debate raged on Wednesday night as CNN host Piers Morgan battled TheBlaze’s Will Cain and other pro-gun advocates over whether an semi-automatic assault weapons ban would curb violent crime in the United States.

“Why does any American need one of these AR-15s? What possible protection can that kind of thing offer them? It’s a military rifle,” Morgan began.

“I don’t think that the conversation, when it comes to me, is with the burden upon me to say why I might need that weapon,” Cain replied. “What I need you to do explain how you’ve made the country safer by proposing to ban that weapon.”

“I understand the sense that we have at a moment like this that we must do something,” he added. “But what I would suggest is make sure you are actually going to accomplish that.”

Cain went on to say he is not convinced that banning assault weapons would accomplish anything “significant.” He noted that the rifle that Newtown, Conn. shooter Adam Lanza used when he killed 20 children and six adults would not be covered under Connecticut’s assault weapons ban or the federal assault weapons ban that expired in 2004.

“I find that ridiculous,” Morgan replied.

“What I would say is, the federal ban that we did have for 10 years didn’t drop national violence,” Cain said.

“But it did. Demonstrably, it did,” Morgan shot back.

After saying he wasn’t aware of the statistics that Morgan was referring to, Cain explained that it takes a very “determined criminal” to do something as horrific as Adam Lanza, and an assault weapons ban isn’t necessarily going to deter that kind of deranged individual.

As far as Morgan’s claim that the federal assault weapons ban passed by Congress in 1994 “demonstrably” reduced national violence, he may be overselling, according to a 2004 study from the University of Pennsylvania.

ABC News reports:

That is unclear. According to a 2004 study from the University of Pennsylvania, the number of people killed in mass shootings did go down generally during the years that the ban was in effect. The exception was 1999, the year that the shooting at Columbine High School happened.

The number of mass shootings per year has doubled since the ban expired, but the researchers say it’s difficult to discern whether there was a cause-and-effect relationship.

When asked what law he would propose to stop mass killings like the one in Connecticut, Morgan said “you’ve got to try.”

“I’ve been in this country for the last six, seven years watching shooting massacre after [shooting massacre],” he added. “When does the slaughter stop?”

At this point, John R. Lott Jr., author of “More Guns, Less Crime,” chimed in and defended the use of semi-automatic rifles, saying the guns have the same characteristics as all semi-automatic weapons.

“You want people to think that they are just harmless old hunting rifles, and that’s why they sell so fast. And it is a disgrace that you won’t answer those questions,” Morgan said, raising his voice.

At several points throughout the interaction between Lott and Morgan, it was more of a shouting match as Morgan demanded Lott answer the AR-15 related question, “How many bullets does it fire a second?”

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (420)

dancing bear
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 6:53am
If he was on the titanic he would try to ban icebergs.

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Chris.underhill
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 6:53am
Joe paggs today said it right.. The Question Why do we need Simi auto riffles to protect us ?
Answer why does the military need them ? why does the police need them ? Answer BECAUSE THE BAD GUYS HAVE THEM… you tell me how do you stop bad guys from getting guns? Sure as hell is not going to happen any way you think.. specially when you have our own government giving guns to BAD guys.. operation blah blah in Florida,operation fast and furious in Mexico.. the bush gun running.. WTF do think these guys get guns?? A normal person that is law BIDING and spend the money to train and pass all the tests IS not going to waste there money and privilege on something stupid like some one that steals a gun and shoots some one… You know i wish Ther blaze would educated there staff also on this shooting in CT THE RIFFLE WAS NOT USED AT ALL IN THE SHOOTING AT THE SCHOOL>>>

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majasdad
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 6:43am
Excellent job Piers Morgan!!!! Let ‘em have it!

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- @leftfighter
  Posted on December 20, 2012 at 8:37am
  Yeah! Excellent job, Piers! Ask a question that’s totally irrelevent!
  
  An AR-15 can only fire as many rounds per second as the finger can move, because without a Class 3 firearms license, you can’t get one that is fully automatic.
  
  So, that said, an AR-15 can fire the same number of rounds per second that a Lefaucheux M1858 can. (PSSST! That’s a pistol made in the 1850′s. IN FRANCE of all places!!!) The exception being, the AR can hold 10 more rounds in its magazine.
  
  You read that right: the Lefaucheux M1858 is a 20 round revolver. So much for the hand gun argument.
  
  Report this comment
Hawkman2
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 6:31am
I am itching to have a chat with Morgan now. What an idiot. How fast does an AR 15 shoot a second? As fast as any other semi automatic firearm! Semi automatics go as fast as you can pull that trigger so the actual full auto capability of military rifles are not achievable and limited to the speed of the human finger. I don’t know anyone that can pull a trigger 600-950 times a minute. And yes. There is studies that show that crime has always increased when gun bans have been implemented. There is a study that was published by the WSJ showing that banning firearms does nothing in decreasing gun crime. This guy needs to do some research and stop trying to be a bully that (typical to bullies) doesn’t know what they are talking about. The main problem is, these people keep telling lies and convince others false facts. Do your research!

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BuggiOlleo
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 6:28am
THe British have been trying to disarm America since b4 the Revolution. ie Piers –still is from the Muddled Island. This isn’t a a debate if Piers is UP on a Stage and the servants are in the audience; I’d be a No show. Divided States oh yes its true.

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skyguy51
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 6:19am
Guess Piers Morgan missed the article in the UK Mail how gun crimes have went up 89% since they banned handguns in Britain.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1223193/Culture-violence-Gun-crime-goes-89-decade.html

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SaturdaysWarrior76
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 5:49am
Will Cain is a good journalist. He always has something worthwhile to ask, or say. I never get the impression he is “taking sides” per se.. mostly I get the impression he is trying to get people to think! His questions/comments always come off intelligently as if he has truly given the topic some actual thought. He never seems to give “knee jerk” comments, unlike Mr. Morgan who is a complete idiot. O_0

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swornsongs
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 4:53am
Looks like Piers is “fudging” the numbers to make the AR-15 should like an Uzi. I did a little research of my own, and this is what I found. This article was pretty eye-opening after hearing the claims Morgan was making.

http://wredlich.com/ny/2012/07/gun-control-aurora-and-the-ar-15-factoids-and-foolishness/

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mouseco
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 4:38am
Beijing (CNN) — Twenty-two primary school children were wounded in a knife attack Friday 12-14-12 in central China, authorities said.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/world/asia/china-knife-attack/index.html
http://www.cnn.co.uk/2012/10/25/opinion/sheppard-malala-schools/index.html
Keep Safe secure the kids the bad people are out there GOD help us all piers is a fool. Go back to the UK

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jordy2010
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 4:32am
Piers Morgan = REDCOAT!!!!!!

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girlnurse
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 3:22am
“A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.”
– George Washington

“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
– Benjamin Franklin

“The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
– Thomas Jefferson

“The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.”
– Thomas Jefferson
“Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion in private self defense.”
– John Adams

“To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them.”
- George Mason

“I ask sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few politicians.”
– George Mason (father of the Bill of Rights and The Virginia Declaration of Rights)

“Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe.”
– Noah Webster

“The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to

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- UnreconstructedLibertarian
  Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:24am
  Please keep the quotes coming. I enjoy them very much.
  
  People forget that at the time of the Revolution, the Kentucky and Pennsylvania rifles owned by the citizenry were SUPERIOR weapons in comparison with military muskets. “The People” would not have won without them.
  
  Report this comment
ldaopines
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 3:15am
Way to go, Will. It isn’t for us to have to defend our 2nd Amendment rights or explain why we “need” this or that gun. Frankly, we are much safer from a dictatorship when citizens are armed, and that’s enough of a “need” for me.

Piers doesn’t address the fact that Americans have ALWAYS had guns. He should be asking, “What’s changed?” He would get more credence if he were as passionate about mental health, Hollywood/media violence and sensationalism, destruction of the family and Judeo-Christian values, and a culture of “social injustice” and “entitlement”.

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bobbknight
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 3:08am
Watching the video segment it seems to me that it’s not possible to have a rational discussion with an irrational interrogator.
Piers Morgan should stop hiding from England’s taxes, go back home and contribute to his society.
A society I might add where the criminal has more rights than their victims.

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Nprspktv
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 2:56am
And…Morgan makes the stupid assumption that less children would’ve been murdered if the lunatic would not have used a semiautomatic. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MURDERED had there been an armed guard at the school.

What is the nation coming to? These idiot(evil) progressives are forcing all into submission under their control.

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drenfroe
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 2:45am
Sems to me P. Morgan didn’t want to hear an anwser. We got his opinion and nothing else really. To bad no one knows how to listen anymore. I hate it when media talks over their guests. It defeats the purpose.

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CHICAGOTHUGBUCKET
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 2:41am
On November 18 of 1978, 918 people died in the settlement as well as in a nearby airstrip and in Georgetown, Guyana’s capital. Did anyone demand a ban on kool-aid? Many were children as well who had no idea of what the meaning of suicide was. Taking your own life and maybe a few first is the ultimate act of cowardice and retardation of a human specimen. The mother should be tried for accessory to murder, endangerment of minors and on the list should go. She should never of had a gun for her special little creep to use. Useful idiots are banding to amend the constitution.
God save us and bless those little souls. May the mother rot in prison.

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- AmericanStrega
  Posted on December 20, 2012 at 10:17am
  If you’re talking about the mother of the CT shooter, he shot her in the head multiple times. She’s dead.
  
  Report this comment
Modern_Cicero
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 2:12am
Piers Morgan is a disgrace to journalism. Here is what the person in the audience should have shouted back: “How many miles per hour can a bus travel, Piers? How many miles per hour? No, answer my question. How many miles per hour? Buses much faster than guns…”

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bmfh58
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 2:11am
Hey Piers,

A majority of our recent mass murderers were mentally ill—and displayed signs of it before setting out to kill. So why are we so focused on guns rather than mental health?

Bushmaster assault-style rifle, the civilian version … firing rate of 45 shots per minute which sounds about right. But at this rate the odds of hitting a lot of people or targets are pretty slim.

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Cuthalu
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 2:10am
Notice how anti-gun people like Piers Morgan seem more concerned with the LOOK of weapons like an AR-15 as opposed to the FUNCTION of firearms? I say that since he called it a military weapon when if fact it is not. It might LOOK like an M-16 but it does not have auto-fire built into it’s function as the actual military version of it does.

People like him are either ignorant of what they are talking about OR being purposely deceiptive in their arguments against firearms in general. At least, it seems to be the case. I do have a problem with the NRA or those who are claiming to be standing up for the 2nd Amendment all over the country in this time in our lives seem to be both making weak arguements and not countering the outright lies and deception being used by the cultural marxist who would love nothing more than to strip the 2nd Amendment away from the Bill of Rights. They can not force through their socialist world Utopia IF our 2nd Amendment is left intact. Simple as that.
I am starting to wonder if there are progressives in hiding(wolves in sheeps clothing) purposly trying to sabotage our efforts to keep the 2nd Amendment, it is a known tactic of the progressives to do this. A long history of doing this.

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freedomofspeech
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:56am
why have semi automatic or even automatic weapons, I’ll tell you, squirrels, damn squirrels. Running around making holes in the porch screens to get after my parrot’s food, they get on the roof and try to get into the attic. There how about that for a reason, Damn squirrels. For all those squirrel lovers horrified, I’ll put them in the crockpot too, nothing like squirrel gravy and biscuits;)

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Mr_Ditters
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:55am
Wow what a liar and a bully Morgan is.

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fedlibertarian
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:49am
The day Baraka Mama can have my weapon is when he confiscates every illegally owned firearm out in the ghettos and the barrios. And elsewhere.

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mobynowak
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:34am
Why is it wrong for the U.S to impose its cultural values on the world, but it’s okay for Piers Morgan to impose his British values on America?

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vacayooper
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:25am
According to this idiot if my math serves me correct using his own numbers at 100 rounds a minute the rate of fire per second is 1.66, or if you use the 5 per second it would be 300 at 6 per second 360. Why cant anyone counter him on just that little tidbit. We need people who can argue with these guys and dispute the trash they toss out there.

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Lt_Scrounge
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 1:18am
Quick question for Morgan or any other wannabe gun banner. “If someone were coming at you with a machete or baseball bat, which do you think would protect you better, an IPhone5 or a 45?” They can’t honestly respond to that and still maintain their position.

The Israelis had problems with PLO terrorists with REAL assault rifles attacking schools. They chose to train and allow those teachers who chose to do so to carry firearms at work. They only experienced a couple of attacks after that and the all went badly for the terrorists. After the failed attacks, the PLO decided to find an easier target. Nothing will stop a mass murderer like a bullet between the eyes.

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