Analyzing The Support of 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. 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 the author reinforced her argument with the use of rhetorical strategies which 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.” As time progresses, this issue has become even more prevalent as an issue in American society. Currently, this is a very pressing 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. As time develops and more examples of the negative effects of the accessibility of firearms emerge, more dismay has revealed itself among the American public. The argument of the text surrounds itself in the historical context of the issue as the main basis of its argument, stating that times have changed and it is time to rethink the laws supporting the availability of guns to the American people and take action to create stricter gun laws. This idea is reflected through the vast use of rhetorical techniques by the author.
The author 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 the use of acknowledgement in 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. 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. 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. This proves the concept that the need for personal use of guns is no longer ongoing in today’s society because 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 she 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. 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 she strategically reveals 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. However, this thought and support to the author’s overall argument would not be possible without the reinforcement from legitimate organizations providing facts and statistics.
The rhetorical appeal, Pathos which involves using emotion to influence someone else is successfully used by the author. This is apparent in the mentioning of the emotional events of the Columbine High School shooting and the Virginia Tech shooting. This reference evokes emotion to address the dangerous consequences of gun availability. 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) Drawing attention away from facts and logical thinking, accessing the appeal of emotion is extremely successful in the act of persuasion.
The author of the article successfully uses rhetorical techniques strategies to persuade her readers. She references her main points powerfully using all three appeals throughout the text. Through rhetorical analysis, one can reveal how these techniques support 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. Web.
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