A BBC correspondent was roasted on social media on Tuesday after tweeting somberly from a Walmart about America’s gun culture, including a picture of a shelf laden with a Red Rider BB gun in his post.
Pádraig Belton, a journalist from London, England, tweeted out from a Walmart in Hallandale Beach, Florida, that he couldn’t find an adapter for his computer to make it compatible with American electrical outlets, but he could, however, locate “a rifle and ammunition” for purchase.
“Hi from America. Where Walmart doesn’t have a plug adapter for my UK laptop. But on the other hand, I can buy a rifle and ammunition,” Belton said, sharing a photo of several BB guns recommended for youth use and BB pellets.
Hi from America. Where Walmart doesn’t have a plug adapter for my UK laptop. But on the other hand, I can buy a rifle and ammunition. pic.twitter.com/5AOl232CZE
— Pádraig Belton (@PadraigBelton) April 26, 2022
BB guns are typically used for target practice and pest control. They are also legal in the U.K.
One of the BB guns in the photo was the iconic Daisy Red Ryder 650 air rifle. A product description on Amazon of a similar gun details that the Daisy Red Ryder 650 “has been the dream of youths since its introduction in 1940.”
“The most popular BB gun in the world remains faithful to its original design,” the description reads. “With its solid wood stock and forearm, lariat ring with a leather saddle thong, today’s Daisy Red Ryder is the spittin’ image of the one you cherished growing up.”
Another air rifle in the photo, the Crosman 760 pumpmaster, is also designed for young people and first-time shooters.
“The legendary Crosman® 760 Pumpmaster® is the trusted solution for the youth or beginning shooter for over 40 years. With easy-to-use variable pump features, you can control your power from 350 fps to 700 fps for everything from plinking to pest control,” the product description says.
The gun also has a “crossbolt safety to teach young outdoorsmen proper use and handling.”
Commenters on Twitter quickly informed the reporter that the “rifle and ammunition” in question were air rifles and the “ammunition” was BBs.
Stephen Gutowski, who runs The Reload, a news publication about firearms, stated, “These are BB guns,” before adding that it reminded him of a situation in England where the police were called in after a stray bullet was found lying on the street.
Another, Shoshana Weissmann of R Street, mimicked Belton’s tweet but instead shared a photo of a nerf gun.
Others were reminded of the classic American holiday film, “A Christmas Story,” when nine-year-old Ralphie says that he wants a Red Ryder air rifle and his mother told him, “No. [You’ll] shoot your eye out!”
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Source: Dailywire
