Matthew Reed
ENGL 102-061
Documentary Response
4 March 2014
Responses to the
Documentary “After Newtown: Guns in America”
“After Newtown: Guns in
America” examines the relationship and fascination with guns and other armed
weaponry. The films does not take a side on the political issue of guns, which
I applaud it for doing, but rather examines the viewpoint of both sides and the
impact the gun has had on our culture, whether it be for good or bad. The films shows the importance of the single
barrel musket had on the founding of our country in the Revolutionary War and
the impact guns have had in modern day society in today’s massive shootings.
One thing that was
examined in the film that I though was interesting was our nation’s double
standard on murder. We consider the moral stance in the decision that person
was in when he or she committed the murder. We consider if it was self-defense
or in the heat of passion and use it as an argument. This brings the question
on whether or not is morally right to let people who in fact killed people go
free based on the fact of the situation. Does situation matter? While the film
may show the downside the growth of guns in way of the Chicago Prohibition gang
shootings and innocent civilian casualties, such as in the case of the aspiring
musician and Bill Cosby’s son, we also get interviews with many pro-gun enthusiasts.
The enthusiasts argue
that guns are a big part of the growth of America in the settlement of the west
and that taxes on the purchase of firearms go to important things such as land
conservation. This is a good refutation, but I personally do not know how well
it stands up. According to the documentary, more people have been killed by
guns than they have in any of this nations wars combined. These numbers also
make a impact when you also see images of the school shootings, such as
Columbine, Virginia Tech and Newtown.
The impact of Newtown
was examined the most, since it was the most recent when this documentary was
made. The tragedy made people on both sides of the gun argument question what
they should do next. I for one have no idea what politicians could do in order
to control these shooting, or if they will be able to do it in the first place.
Do regulations work? Will we be able to make sure that guns stay out of the
hands of criminals and other such people who may cause others harm? I hope we
do not endure another massacre such as those.
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