As I mentioned yesterday, a graphical map that claims to show the locations of 74 Sandy Hook-like school shootings is making the rounds on news programs and social media sites. The Map, which was produced by anti-gun group Everytown for Gun Safety and is being heavily promoted by Bloomberg-funded group Moms Demand Action, is making some major news outlets uncomfortable.
And now, CNN is backing off the Map's claims. In a statement, the news network said:
So on Wednesday, CNN took a closer look at the list, delving into the circumstances of each incident Everytown included.
Everytown says on its web site that it gleans its information from media reports and that its list includes school shootings involving a firearm discharged inside or on school grounds, including assaults, homicides, suicides and accidental shootings.
CNN determined that 15 of the incidents Everytown included were situations similar to the violence in Oregon — a minor or adult actively shooting inside or near a school. That works out to about one shooting every five weeks.
Some of the other incidents on Everytown's list included personal arguments, accidents and alleged gang activities and drug deals.
I'm glad CNN is making the correction but it's pretty annoying that only after the misinformation has been promoted by the network did their reporters decide to take "a closer look at the list." I could be completely bonkers, but I thought that's what reporters are supposed to do before running with a story.