Glenn Beck and Guns

I found an article in the Huffington Post, written by Josh Horwitz and entitled, “Glenn Beck, the NRA, and the Dangers of an Impolite Society.” Horwitz is the Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence; he also holds a law degree from George Washington University. His article is intended for those who don’t like Glenn Beck and think that the United States needs stricter gun laws. 

In his article, Horwitz discusses the number of Americans who own guns, the effect Glenn Beck has on people and his “brand of political rhetoric.” Horwitz states that there are over 200 million firearms in civilian hands. Horwitz believes that having so many firearms in the hands of civilians is dangerous because of people like Glenn Beck. Horwitz supports his claim by discussing Byron Williams. Williams was unemployed and on “parole after being released for a 2001 robbery” in California. Horwitz lists Williams’ “criminal career” which includes property destruction, DUI, assault, and a hit and run. Williams stole several guns from his mother, and after drinking a large amount of alcohol, he headed to San Francisco. The California Highway Patrol “stopped him for driving erratically” and then Williams fired a gun, injuring two California Highway Patrol officers. An interview was conducted by Media Matter freelance reporter, John Hamilton, where Horwitz states that the reason for Williams attack was Glenn Beck’s conspiracy theory about President Obama, George Soros and the Tides Foundation. Horwitz states that “Williams bought it hook, line and sinker and was incensed about it.” Horwitz then discusses what NRA President, Ron Schmeits, and Tides founder, Drummond Pike, think about Beck. Horwitz concludes his article by stating that “Byron Williams was obviously not 100% mentally stable, but good mental health is not currently a prerequisite to amassing an arsenal of firearms in our society. Those who perpetuate conspiracy theories and spew political vitriol should remember that in the future.”

I believe that Horwitz’s example of Byron Williams is a logical fallacy. He needed to use an example of a person who was mentally stable and law abiding. I believe that his argument suffers because his conclusion does not logically follow from the evidence. Glenn Beck cannot be blamed for what happened with Williams, because Williams is not Beck’s responsibility. In his conclusion, Horwitz states that “mental stability is not . . . a prerequisite to amassing an arsenal of firearms in our society,” however the fact is that Byron Williams did not own the guns that he used to injure the two California Highway Patrol officers. Williams stole the guns from his mother. Horwitz was not successful in convincing me of his point of view.