“Gun Hysteria: How the Media’s Favorite Villain Isn’t the Real Threat”

Ah, the media—ever the maestro of melodrama, conducting a symphony of fear with the finesse of a toddler banging pots. When it comes to gun crime, their performance is less about harmony and more about hitting the same shrill note: guns are evil, and anyone who owns one is a villain in waiting.

The Fear Factory

Turn on any major news outlet, and you’re treated to a parade of headlines that make it seem like the Wild West has returned, sans the charm. Mass shootings, while undeniably tragic, are presented as daily occurrences, overshadowing the fact that they constitute a minuscule fraction of gun-related incidents. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2023, there were 46,728 gun-related deaths in the U.S., with suicides accounting for 58% and homicides 38% . Yet, the media’s spotlight rarely shines on the nuanced realities behind these numbers.

Selective Storytelling

The media’s narrative often omits the context of declining crime rates. The FBI reported a steady decline in murder rates since the 2020 peak, with 2025 on track to record the lowest per-capita killings in U.S. history . But why let facts get in the way of a good scare?

The Defensive Gun Use Blackout

Defensive gun use is the Voldemort of media coverage—it must not be named. Estimates suggest that guns are used defensively by private citizens in the U.S. from 1.5 to 3.4 million times a year, at least three times more frequently than guns are used to commit crimes . Yet, these stories rarely make the evening news.

The Real Agenda

The media’s portrayal isn’t just about ratings; it’s about shaping public opinion. By focusing on the most sensational aspects of gun crime and ignoring the broader context, they pave the way for policies that may not address the root causes of violence. It’s a narrative that prioritizes fear over facts, emotion over evidence.