Blog Stage 3

The events in Newtown, Ct. hit home with every American who possesses a heart, and regardless of your views on gun violence/rights/control, it was a time when the nation came together to look for answers. Anyone with a spotlight put it to use, and there are those on both sides of the fence who approached the issue with complete disregard for facts. Rather, they used the immediate emotional response of the country to push their agenda with no shame. “…My position on guns has been one of naivety and willed ignorance.” These are the words of Terri Francis, author of the Op-Ed piece, Gun Control: It’s on all of us. Well ma’am, you said it, I didn’t.

Terri goes on to liken the gun control debate to the adoption of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993, which requires federal background checks on firearms purchasers in the Unites States. She also draws a comparison between the parents of the children of Newtown, and Candice Lightner, founder of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), which was founded in 1980 after the death of her 13-year-old daughter. The only difference I see here is that the Brady Act did not ban handguns; in fact it wasn’t even on the Brady family’s agenda after James Brady was killed protecting President Reagan. Candice Lightner never pushed for the ban of alcohol to quell drunk driving, but rather for the education of young people, stopping underage drinking, and stricter policies on alcohol serving establishments.

So why the immediate rhetoric from so many demanding the ban of sporting rifles, and certain types of magazines? I would argue that it stems from so many articles like this one where the author contends and opines whilst simultaneously void of any education on the subject. She calls for the education of people on the names and characteristics of firearms, so that they may better understand and therefore debate their position more intelligently. Truly understanding the capabilities and limitations of certain weapons, and the safe storage and usage of them, seems to be secondary to demonizing anyone fighting to retain their rifles/magazines. But facts apparently aren’t important when you have emotion on your side. “We can start by educating ourselves. Know what these weapons of mass destruction do…” Now there’s a contradictory statement if I’ve ever heard one. And how, pray tell, do we teach people about these WMD’s Ms. Francis? “We have to organize and shape public opinion to make it easier for the president and Congress to do what they must.” Once again, you said it, I didn’t.

Fear-mongering: The use of fear to influence or shape the opinions and actions of others to a specific end.
Gun Control: It's on all of us