A debate about guns exploded on CNN on Wednesday — and the discussion broke into a shouting match as tempers erupted and CNN “New Day” host Alyson Camerota tried her best to moderate.
Meeting in the ring, with Camerota refereeing, was Second Amendment advocate and Fox Business Network analyst Jan Morgan (shown above left), along with attorney Brian Claypool (above right), a survivor of the Las Vegas mass shooting in the fall of 2017.
The topic of the debate: 3D-printed guns.
Claypool said he was “in despair” and “grieving again” when he heard about the possibility of downloading blueprints for guns that could then be printed at home, while Morgan said the 3D gun issue is a First Amendment and Second Amendment issue, as Mediaite reported. (See a video of their debate by clicking the link.)
The group also discussed the issue of legality of 3D-printed guns.
“There’s a wealth of information out there that is very dangerous on the internet, so this is a First Amendment issue,” said Morgan. “On the issue of firearms, we already — Alisyn and Brian, it is already against federal law to manufacture a firearm that is undetectable. But where the confusion lies is whether or not it’s traceable.”
Camerota asked Claypool how he felt hearing Morgan say that this process is a right.
“That’s the problem with our society,” said Claypool. “First of all, the First Amendment doesn’t give you the right to break the law. The federal law currently says you can’t make plastic guns without serial numbers. So you’re not protected by the First Amendment.”
Tempers flared when Morgan laughed slightly at Claypool’s description of how the 3D gun bullets are designed.
“This is not acceptable in a civilized society, and it’s not funny,” he said, reacting to Morgan. “It’s not funny, you go, you go sit in a mass shooting, you go dodge bullets —”
“Let me tell you who dodged bullets, thousands and thousands of United States veterans who have gone into the line of fire to defend liberty.”
“No, what is funny, what’s funny — are you going to let me answer you? What’s funny —” she said, as they talked over each other.
“What’s funny is you sit behind your cushy chair,” Claypool shot back.
“What is funny is your — let me tell you who dodged bullets, thousands and thousands of United States veterans who have gone into the line of fire to defend liberty, to defend the Bill of Rights —” said Morgan, as they continued interrupting each other.
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“This isn’t about liberty, it’s about public safety,” said Claypool.
Camerota stepped in — and a bit more civility ensued.
Claypool closed by saying that “this is going to allow any lunatic on the planet to go in his or her own home and make a gun and carry out another mass shooting.”
“And if this happens again, Jan, you know what? You’re going to have blood on your hands, and this government is going to have blood on its hands,” he said provocatively.
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