Essay 1.1: Reloading vs. Reevaluating: A Rhetorical Analysis of "Government Should Create Stricter Gun Laws"

The article by student Megan Weintraut titled, “Government Should Create Stricter Gun Laws” expresses the idea that the gun laws presently in place are not sufficient for the good of the American public. Weintraut addresses readers of the Ithacan in this editorial with the purpose to stress the importance to support stricter gun laws. Written in early January, this topic is currently an issue in the U.S. affecting all American citizens, now more than ever. The right to bear arms has been supported by the Second Amendment, but as times have changed, more disillusions with the concept have spread. Through a variety of rhetorical techniques, the author addresses the concept of the failure of lenient gun laws throughout the article. This text was successful because Weintraut reinforces her argument with the use of rhetorical strategies. These rhetorical strategies break down her ideas to persuade the reader to see the issue a desired way.

            The establishment of this issue dates back to the creation of the Second Amendment in the American Constitution which gives the people the right “to keep and bear arms.” Currently, this is a very pressing issue with views varying from a far right perspective that the government should not interfere with the second amendment, to the far left perspective that the government needs to take more action to decrease the accessibility of firearms. The historical context of the argument supports the main claim that times have changed and it is time to rethink the laws supporting the availability of guns to the American people and to take action to create stricter gun laws. This idea is reflected through the vast use of rhetorical techniques by the author to create significant reasons supporting the argument’s claims.

            Weintraut uses the rhetorical appeal of logos to craft the many points of her argument. Logos, which involves using a logical way of thinking to influence someone else, is prevalent in the main theme of the article. She states that “Today, the majority of American citizens can live their daily lives easily and securely without the use of arms” (par. 2). She calls on thinking rationally; times have changed and a change in the lenient gun control laws needs to take place. This logical way of thinking is also supported by the use of acknowledgement and response. This practice involves the recognition of opposing views by acknowledging a fact that may support the contrasting opinion, but then backing up the main argument with a rebuttal to that fact. She recognizes the idea that the Second Amendment was established to protect U.S. citizens, but the circumstances are much different today. She points out that at the time of the development of the Second Amendment major threats were imposed among the American families (par. 1). Not only were they facing oppression from Britain’s army, but they faced the essential need to provide for themselves by hunting and killing animals for food (par. 1). Weintraut argues that although guns were essential in protecting and providing for families over two-hundred years ago, they no longer serve the same purpose and are not used for the same reasons today. Now, the author effectively mentions, we have “organized military services as well as law enforcement agencies at all levels of government” (par. 2). As for sustenance, she refers to the fact that there is an endless supply of food companies that constantly provide mass food production (par. 2). This proves the concept the issues calling the necessity of owning guns are no longer present. Her use of logos and acknowledgement and response successfully support this idea and defend the overall argument of the article.

            Another strategy the author uses to prove her point is with the use of another rhetorical appeal ethos, which involves the influence of credibility. Throughout the article Weintraut uses many facts and statistics backed up by legitimate organizations which prove a disturbing vision of the negative consequences of lenient gun control laws. Credibility is extremely important because without this appeal, the reader cannot trust what he or she is reading or hearing. This incorporation of the facts from a source other than the author herself solidifies the reliability of the argument. The organizations she references provide the reader with a sense of authority to trust. Without this strategic use of authoritative references, Weintraut may not have conveyed the same sense of credibility in her argument. Her claim that America needs to make a change is supported by reasons which only hold their ground due to the reliable evidence. For example, she states, “The National Institute of Justice reported that in 2006 alone, firearms were involved in 68 percent of murders, and more than 90 percent of today's gang-related homicides involve guns” (par. 3). This clearly outlines the repercussions of the availability of firearms by using concrete statistics. Another fact that Weintraut strategically reveals with authoritative reference involves the influence of media: “The American Academy of Family Physicians reported that 66 percent of television programs contain violence" (par. 4). This statistic shows that the presence of violence and firearms, even if virtually, still have a major effect on the audience of the majority of television programs. Another reference is made to the nation and how it is viewed from an outside point of view. “The American Journal of Public Health determined that in comparison to all other developed nations, Americans own significantly more firearms” (par. 3). The fact that gun use is so overtly common in our society, so much that is it in fact one of the most gun-friendly developed nations, affects the reader to reject this status, therefore supporting the idea to create stricter gun laws. This successful use of ethos helps create the strategic use of evidence which provides the reader with a sense trust.

            The rhetorical appeal pathos which involves using emotion to influence someone else is also successfully used by the author. Weintraut strategically recognizes her relationship with the audience. Since this is a somewhat formal editorial, she effectively deters from its formality and establishes a sense of emotion that every reader can relate to. This is apparent in the mentioning of the emotional events of the Columbine High School shooting, the Virginia Tech shooting and the most recent shooting in Tuscon, Arizona. This reference evokes emotion to address the dangerous consequences of gun availability. The reference to the shooting in Tuscon also acts as the occasion to this editorial. With the shooting taking place the same month as the article’s publication, the event’s timeliness supports Weintraut’s use of pathos to appeal to the audience’s emotional stance on this current shooting. The claim that we need to support stricter gun laws is fed by the reasons that with such availability of firearms, violent acts will inevitably occur. The shootings mentioned defend this claim as its cogent evidence. With emotion on the author’s side, persuasion is easier to accomplish by connecting a personal feeling with an argument. Another use of pathos involves the effective use of humor. In the last paragraph, the author quotes comedian Chris Rock on the topic of gun control, addressing the fact that this issue affects everyone. “Everybody is talking about gun control … I think we need some bullet control!” (par. 6) By drawing attention away from facts and logical thinking, accessing the appeal of emotion is extremely successful in the act of persuasion.

            Throughout the article, Weintraut uses rhetorical technique strategies to persuade her readers. She references her thesis and claims powerfully using all three appeals. Through rhetorical analysis, one can reveal how these techniques aid the overall argument. In acknowledging the presence of these rhetorical concepts, a reader can see why an audience is persuaded to believe a desired opinion. Additionally, this type of thorough analysis helps one to find deeper meaning in the argument.

Works Cited

Weintraut, Megan. "Government Should Create Stricter Gun Laws." The Ithacan. 26 Jan. 2011. Web. 04 Feb. 2011.