CNN Tries to Vilify AR-15 in Navy Yard Shooting Story

CNN, in its inimitable way, led off an article Tuesday morning with this line: “It has been called the most popular rifle in America, and it briefly returned to the spotlight after Monday’s shooting at the Navy Yard: the AR-15.”

The reference, of course, was to the mass shooting committed by gunman Aaron Alexis on Monday. There was only one problem–CNN waited until the fourth paragraph to write this:

The sources, who have detailed knowledge of the investigation, cautioned that initial information that an AR-15 was used in the shootings may have been incorrect. It is believed that Alexis had rented an AR-15, but returned it before Monday morning’s shootings. Authorities are still investigating precisely how many weapons Alexis had access to and when.

So first CNN tries to demonize the AR-15, hoping readers will not read further, then later casually mentions an AR-15 may not have been used.