An issue at the forefront that has garnered considerable media coverage and conversation is the second amendment. Few topics involve such raw emotion than those that pertain to firearms. Its no wonder either as the New York Times reports that from 2001 to 2014, there were over 160 mass shootings that claimed the lives of over 480 people. This has led to a large percentage of the population to call for some sort of action to combat the growing number of firearm related fatalities. This however has been met with considerable opposition from the second amendment supporters.
Gun owners and other second amendment supporters feel that these issues are separate from them as the vast majority consider themselves to be law abiding. Fearing gun control laws or the complete seizure of firearms, they engage in strong rhetoric and protests.
It is estimated that there are over 310 million guns in the United States, and that number is growing steadily. A study conducted by The Washington Post estimates that approximately 32% of Americans own one or more firearms. With these statistics growing rapidly, it becomes obvious that gun ownership is an important part of American culture.
There are two conventional or proposed main viewpoints regarding firearms. On the one side, there are those that call for restrictions and question the extent of the second amendment and what it applies to. Then there are the second amendment supporters and gun owners who want to protect their rights. It is important to note, however, that there is in fact a middle ground that is relatively hidden from public perception, despite the fact that it encompasses a large portion of American views.
The media often depicts a black and white picture on gun control. The poll questions and topics on all forms of media presented to Americans usually ask if they are for or against gun control. This, in effect, is an example of a false dichotomy. There are only two options provided when more exist. While there are the radicals on both sides of the issue, the majority of the population is much more centered.
The problem regarding the opinions on gun control revolve around the words at the center of the argument. For citizens on both sides the words "gun control" mean different things. For some, it means that the government is trying to take away all firearms. Others find that this simply means putting basic restrictions to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and mentally ill individuals.
A poll conducted in 2013 by Pew Research found that 81% of Americans favored expanded background checks for firearm purchases. Another poll conducted in 2015 by the Gallup polling organization found that 72% of people felt that a law that would restrict gun ownership to only police and authorized personnel should not be enacted. Gallup also found that 86% of people supported universal background checks for all gun purchases using a national database.
It is true that there are varying opinions on gun control. When the topic of automatic firearms and large capacity magazines are discussed, the conversation does become more polarized. That aside, it is evident that the citizens of the United States are not as polarized as we led to believe. Groups such as the NRA or Moms demand Action for Gun Sense in America take the flowing emotions revolving shootings and gun control and polarize them.
We as a people are led to believe that there is a side supporting gun control and a side against it, with no middle ground. When the facts and opinions are broken down and analyzed, we are still a nation split on the issue, but far less than we believe.
Tim, I really like your idea for your civic issues blog. I agree that in general people are more similar than they are different, but a lot of the time we don't want to admit that. I think your blog will be a nice reminder during election season that the polarized views we hear in the news aren't necessarily tied to reality. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great blog idea! I really liked how you pointed out the false dichotomy that's so present whenever government officials try to make a decision. I think the media only reports on the polar sides of the argument to make crazy news stories, but it gives our country this reputation of radicalism that isn't very attractive. Nice post!
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ReplyDeleteHi there: I totally relate to being angry about false dichotomies (nice use of AP Lang), and it's true what you say in your blog. I only wish you had elaborated more on a centrist solution, making it clearer to the reader what a purple America might look like. It was a little redundant when you discussed the opposing sides, so perhaps if you wanted to insert another little conclusive paragraph on the middle solution, that'd be super chill. All in all, great post and intriguing blog topic; I'll look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteI like how you showed both sides of the argument as well as pointing out there is a middle ground. While reading this I seemed to get the feeling that you feel gun supporters tend to feel we should just arm everyone. I don't really think this is the case as a gun supporter myself who knows many gun supporters. Everyone I have talked to seems to agree we need background checks but not ones that will prevent law abiding citizens from getting guns. Great post!
ReplyDelete"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery" -James Madison"
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with you that the US politics is extremely polarized on many issues. Especially about Gun Control, people feel very passionate about it because it is a matter of lives. However, whenever we have polarized issues, we have look at the founding principles of this country. Why founding fathers in this country wanted individuals to bear arm? and Why they called it "Right of American people"? No one wants to see people dying from mass killing, but we always have to remember what is real solution to this problem. It is not gun, but the people. If people fear gun, then use that fear. People are afraid to shoot if they don't know who owns the gun and who does not. However if government regulates the right to bear arm, people who want to kill people with gun would shoot people because they know that many people in the USA do not bear arm because of government regulation. That is why we should protect the right to bear arm. Maybe you can think that I am also polarized, but I just want to follow founding principles. Thank you for your posting. I am very excited to see your effort to find the middle ground on many polarized issues because libertarians are also somewhat try to find middle ground as well! I am looking forward to it Tim!
I completely agree that such polarized views are often depicted, but do not exist in reality. I feel I am right in the middle of the spectrum, believing that guns should by no means be eliminated, but the comprehensive background checks just seem like common sense. I could be wrong, but I don't believe that any real notable political candidates argue for an abolition of the second amendment, but push for more comprehensive background checks.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you wholeheartedly, unfortunately media has a tendency to mold things in ways that could be interpreted as deception that has a large effect on the way that viewers create views. Often leaving out facts like there is a middle ground, or even looking for the purpose of the 2nd amendment (which in my opinion was created so that we could protect ourselves from the state if anything were to occur that would force us to have to overthrow our government) and so the black and white is all that we see. and that, in my opinion, stems from this need for conflict in everything we do. Including the information we are given as a people.
ReplyDeleteDitto to what Kay said! Also, I think you picked a great topic for your first blog. It serves as a good example of how our nation is at odds, even if the radically polarized views aren't held by the majority. When President Obama gave his speech about gun control recently, it seemed like some people thought that he was imposing all new laws on gun control, when he was mostly just enforcing existing laws. Gun control is such an embattled issue that hasn't quite reached the point of stasis. It's an interesting, troubling, and emotional topic. Thanks for writing about it.
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