Fox News Contributor Literally Goes Ballistic Over NY Times Call For End To Gun Epidemic
The man named “the most powerful conservative in America” literally shot up today’s New York Times editorial calling for stronger gun control.
Erick Erickson is a hyperbolic, homophobic, hate-filled Fox News contributor who, through his extremist rantings and role as editor-in-chief of the far right wing site RedState, has managed to be named “arguably the most powerful conservative in America today.”
Of course, that label, bestowed upon him from a far-too-generous Atlantic writer, does, however, demonstrate just how extreme the GOP has become.Â
Erickson himself today offered the perfect example.
As 2015 quickly draws to a close, it’s become sadly clear that there have been more mass shootings in America than there have been days in the year. Wednesday the nation mourned as 14 people were shot to death by now what appears to be an act of terrorism in the name of ISIS/ISIL.
In response, the New York Daily News on Thursday and Friday ran provocative page one covers denouncing lawmakers’ lack of action on gun control and labeling the head of the NRA a terrorist.
And Saturday, for the first time in nearly a century, the New York Times published an editorial on its front page, “End the Gun Epidemic in America.”
The editorial calls for greater gun control, including “eliminating some large categories of weapons and ammunition,” namely, “slightly modified combat rifles” that are “designed to kill people with brutal speed and efficiency.”
It is a moral outrage and a national disgrace that civilians can legally purchase weapons designed specifically to kill people with brutal speed and efficiency. These are weapons of war, barely modified and deliberately marketed as tools of macho vigilantism and even insurrection.
In response, Erickson, a man who calls gays “terrorists” and has written that basically, the only difference between ISIS and LGBT activists is that LGBT activists don’t kill people, did this:
I shot holes in the NY Times editorial – This is what I think of the New York Times edito… https://t.co/XEJpuV05Kk pic.twitter.com/brh3KrODwS
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) December 5, 2015
In his own editorial, Erickson of course misrepresents the Times‘ words.
“The United States suffered its worst terrorist attacks since September 11 and the New York Times’ response is that all law-abiding citizens need their guns taken away,” Erickson wrongly writes. “Screw them. The New York Times wants you to be sitting ducks for a bunch of arms jihadists who the New York Times thinks no doubt got that way because of the United States.”
Unless every “law-abiding citizen” owns a “slightly modified combat rifle,” Erickson is defaulting to his usual uncontrolled juvenile hyperbolic hysteria.
Perhaps worse, Erickson urges his followers to copy him.
“I hope everyone will join me in posting pictures of bulletholes in the New York Times editorial. Send them your response. Put them on Instagram and use the hashtag for my radio show and I may give you a shoutout. #EERS,” he suggests.
The good news is that it’s likely that for the first time in their lives for many of Erickson’s followers, they will have actually bought a copy of the New York Times.
I expect it’s too much to hope they actually read it before filling it with lead.
Â
EARLIER:
Fox News Contributor: ‘I Don’t Think Barack Obama Is A Christian’
Fox News’ Erickson: ISIS And Gay Activists Are Pretty Much The Same, Except For The Killing Part
Listen: Fox News’ Erick Erickson Says Gays Are ‘Terrorists’
Â
Image via Twitter

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |