Gregory Kielma • June 24, 2025
Washington Post Fact Checks Misleading Ad Council “Children” and Firearms Talking Point
Update: Washington Post Fact Checks Misleading Ad Council “Children” and Firearms Talking Point
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Last week, NRA-ILA explained how a recent public service announcement campaign from the federally funded Ad Council, and the gun control lobby more broadly, manipulates statistics to create misleading talking points about “children” and firearms. After press time, the (new and improved?) Washington Post published an item on their Fact Checker section by Glenn Kessler titled, “Are guns the biggest killer of ‘children and teens’?” In his mostly astute analysis, Kessler covered much of the same ground NRA-ILA has been addressing for years.
The specific Ad Council talking point at issue is: “Gun injuries are the #1 Killer of Children and Teens in America.” The statement is sourced to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, bankrolled by billionaire gun control advocate Michael Bloomberg.
For decades, gun control advocates and their allies in “public health” have pushed versions of this factoid about “children” and firearms.
As we pointed out last week, this is how the ploy works: Step one, acquire statistics on firearm-related deaths among children ages 0-14. Step two, combine that relatively low number with the far greater number of firearm-related deaths involving juveniles and young adults ages 15-17, 15-19, or even ages 15-24. Step three, present the resulting data as the shocking number of “children” (ages 0-17, 0-19 or 0-24) who are subjected to “gun violence” each day/week/month/year. Step four, use the disingenuous statistic to advocate for pre-determined gun control policies (often unenforceable “safe storage” laws) by claiming “gun violence is the leading cause of death of children.”
Consider the data on those who may be properly defined as children – ages 0-14. For this cohort, firearm-related injuries are not the leading causes of death and are not higher than motor vehicle deaths.
This does shift when examining the cohorts ages 15-17, 15-19, or 15-24. Roughly 70-percent of the firearm-related deaths that occur in the 0-17 age group happened among the juveniles ages 15-17 in 2023. This disparity shouldn’t be surprising. The 15-17 cohort is far more often engaged in the type of street crime that can give rise to firearm-related violence and that many jurisdictions have decided to address in a more lenient manner in recent years.
Understanding this manipulation, Kessler wrote,
when older teens (15 to 17, as defined by Johns Hopkins) are removed from the calculations using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS), the numbers change dramatically, with almost 50 percent more deaths from vehicle crashes than firearms. Vehicle crashes exceed firearms deaths also for ages 1 to 15.
As for children, ages 1 to 9 as defined by Johns Hopkins, firearms deaths are so much lower that they don’t even make second place.
Kessler also pointed out how deaths involving firearms vary among different groups. The reporter pointed out, “The racial disparity in firearm deaths — and how it keeps growing — is striking, when you drill down on the CDC data,” and, “The racial disparity is even greater among teens.” The author noted, “In fact, much of the rise in firearm deaths in the 1-to-17 age range since 2018 can be attributed to the rise in deaths among Black youths, not White youths.”
Bringing the discussion back to the Ad Council’s campaign at the conclusion of his article, Kessler suggests how the campaign’s misdirection actually stands in the way of effective responses:
Firearms are the leading cause of deaths among teens, especially older teens. That’s very clear, especially among Black teens. A more precise statement — highlighting the risk faced by teens — might help focus attention on who the horrible toll of gun violence harms most.
Inaccurate Ad Council messaging aside, given that the nature of violence perpetrated with firearms is far different and more acute than gun control advocates often portray, reality might recommend policies tailored to address individuals who commit violence with firearms rather than sweeping restrictions that impact perpetrators and the law-abiding alike. With increases in older teen homicide coinciding with an era of soft-on-crime policies, empowering law enforcement and the broader criminal justice system to adequately address those who misuse firearms would be a good place to start. While some on the left may deplore the idea of older teens and young adults being arrested and held accountable by the criminal justice system, it might be a safer option for them than allowing retaliatory cycles of violence on the streets to go unaddressed.
Viewed most charitably, the Ad Council campaign merely obscures the reality of violence perpetrated with firearms and diverts resources that might have been used to address the issue to unproductive ends.
However, given that NRA-ILA, the Washington Post, and others have repeatedly addressed the misleading “children” and firearms factoid, a reasonable person could conclude that all this obfuscation is the point. That person might even get the impression that these “public service announcements” are nothing more than political propaganda aimed at instilling an irrational fear of firearms with the uninformed public. After all, the Ad Council gun campaign’s “stakeholder partners” include firearm prohibition advocates Brady (formerly Handgun Control, Inc.), Michael Bloomberg-fund Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords, and the Joyce Foundation (which funds the handgun prohibition organization Violence Policy Center).
Taxpaying gun owners should know that the federal government routinely funds the Ad Council to the tune of tens of millions of dollars for various public service campaigns. Records from USASpending.gov show that in fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024, the federal government awarded the organization $16.4 million, $13.6 million, and $14.3 million, respectively. While these awards were not related to firearm propaganda specifically, they provide lifelines to an organization whose messaging on firearms is not only misleading but potentially counterproductive to sound public policy.
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
