Legacy wire service AP is facing a flood of sarcasm after editorializing that antique muskets can be deadly.
The organization, which long has been leftist in its politics, said, “A musket from 1776 can fire a lead ball at a velocity of around 1,000 feet per second. Imagine what that can do to a human body. Yet under federal and most state laws, it’s exempt from gun regulations. Many antique or replica guns aren’t considered firearms and even convicted felons can own them.”
A musket from 1776 can fire a lead ball at a velocity of around 1,000 feet per second.
Imagine what that can do to a human body. Yet under federal and most state laws, it’s exempt from gun regulations. Many antique or replica guns aren’t considered firearms and even convicted… pic.twitter.com/RBT5ihazdA
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 14, 2026
And commenters didn’t let the agenda go without comment.
“What AP fails to realize is that muskets fire round projectiles, whereas modern firearms fire pointy projectiles, which are much more intimidating to the enemy,” said one.
“Get back to us after a gang of thugs robs a mall with muskets,” was another.
“A pair of human hands can crush, choke, punch, gouge, swing objects, and form the dreaded ‘fist.’ Imagine what two unregistered hands can do to a human body. Yet hands remain legal almost everywhere. No background check. No waiting period. No serial number. Even felons…”
And, “Maybe just report the news instead of trying to shape it.”
“How many violent crimes were committed with black powder muzzle loaders last year?”
“True story: I was robbed in Stockton by some face tattooed s—bird carrying a blunderbuss (not a musket, yes, but exceedingly dangerous). I was too slow for this guy, so he sparked it up. Luckily it was humid out, so…misfire. I waited a bit while he dumped his powder…”
“They’re mini cannons I guess but I’d be concerned if you give someone that much time to load it.”
“Just when you think you do, you see some repugnant s— like this and realize you honestly don’t hate the media enough.”
“Even those against TYRANNY and taxation without representation can own them.”
“Can you find one of the numerous videos of inner city gang urban youths with firearms but remove the glocks and replace them with old muskets and flint locks.”
“Clearly a problem that needs to be solved. The sheer carnage at re-enactment events should make any decent person weep. And let’s not forget the gangs, roaming the streets of our cities, armed with Brown Bess muskets, and the police can do nothing to stop them.”
Not the Bee posted a headline saying, “Associated Press warns muskets are dangerous, unregulated weapons of war,” and confirmed, “That headline is not satire.”
The report cited a longstanding meme about firearms, which states, “Own a musket for home defense, since that’s what the founding fathers intended. Four ruffians break into my house. ‘What the devil?’ As I grab my powdered wig and Kentucky rifle. Blow a golf ball sized hole through the first man, he’s dead on the spot. Draw my pistol on the second man, miss him entirely because it’s smoothbore and nails the neighbors dog. I have to resort to the cannot mounted at the top of the stairs loaded with grape shot. ‘Tally ho lads’ the grape shot shreds two men in the blast, the sound and extra shrapnel set off car alarms. Fix bayonet and charge the last terrified rapscallion. He bleeds out waiting on the police to arrive since triangular bayonet wounds are impossible to stitch up. Just as the founding fathers intended.”
