SARAH HOYT’S SHOCKED FACE IS ENJOYING A LITTLE RECOIL THERAPY: Giffords’ Gun Control-Based State Scorecard Grades Doesn’t Hold Up to Closer Examination.

For 15 years, the annual Giffords “Gun Law Scorecard” has been promoted as a definitive ranking of states doing the most to keep their citizens safe from criminal misuse of firearms. Legislators cite these scores during hearings. Activists use them as “proof” of policy successes and media outlets dutifully repeat the grades ad nauseam without a second thought.

For example, while Giffords gives New York an A, that didn’t stop a number of high-profile criminal attacks this year including the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the shooting of Jets cornerback Kris Boyd, 7 people from being shot on Thanksgiving eve or six shot at a Sweet 16 Party just this week in New York City.

But the scorecards aren’t a measure of crime trends, public safety outcomes, or even the effectiveness of firearm regulations. It’s a grading system built to reward gun control laws on the books and shame states that defend lawful firearm ownership.

Of course.