Objective Summary, Gun Control: Exposing the Truth about Guns

Glenn Beck’s novel, Control: Exposing the Truth about Guns, is a persuasive analysis on whether or not gun control is effective. All of Beck’s written arguments are in response to quotes from gun analysis. Beck argues guns are an ideal way to protect oneself, and additionally, points out that gun control laws are generally ineffective. The author begins this section with his argument against a quote which noted that guns within homes were not evident to protect a woman. Immediately, Beck states that, “15% of our military [are] female” (72). His argument then jumps to several cases in which females were able to protect themselves against robberies or intruders through the use of guns. This included a young female fending off an in home intruder. The story stated that the young female went to hide, and, “when the man tried to enter the closer she was hiding in she shot and wounded the man” (72). Next, Beck dispels a statistic which states that 40% of gun sales had no background check. Later, he says that, “the truth, however, is that this statistic is way off. The real number is likely less than 10 percent” (76). He goes on to say that the survey supporting the 40% estimate was not only outdated, but collect through a calling agency which was allowed to curve ambiguous answers. Finally, the author responds to those who believe the armed guards failed to stop the columbine attack. However, Beck notes that not only was there only one armed guard assigned to the school, but the armed guard was not inside the school at the time of the attack. Furthermore, Beck states that,” [Gun activist] believe that banning guns will somehow make them safer, as though laws are all we need to stop criminals” (100). He stresses that announcing areas are gun-free zones, would be likely to entice criminals to target the area.

Gun control essential question 5/5/14

Esential question: How does control gun control effect the area it is enacted?

Claim: Gun control does not decrease deaths in a specific area.

Reason: Whether or not there is gun control, Criminals will always have access to illegal guns.
 For example if you were to put more strict gun control laws in Richmond California it would not make a difference, because so many people have illegal guns in that location. If a person has the mind set that they are going to kill someone, they will always have access to get guns. The only factor that matters is if they have money to purchase the gun illegally. If you were to put strict gun control on a safe communtiy like Danville Ca it would not make a difference because there is rarely any gun related deaths or violence.

Illegal guns police found
 

The Objective summary of Control Exposing The Truth About Guns

 



Graph comparing deahts by gun and traffic deaths

Control, Exposing the Truth about Guns, by Glenn Beck provides an informed opinion about many pieces of propaganda revolving around gun control. Throughout the first third of the book, Beck analyzes quotes arguing for gun control. His opinions point towards the conclusion that the majority of what is presented for gun control is most likely false, out of context or ill-informed. ‘Mass shootings’ wouldn’t be appropriate to describe the scenario. Finally, the author touches on a quote by Piers Morgan who spoke against the AR-15. Beck was quick to establish that the AR-15’s rate of fire mimicked many of guns. Additionally, Beck tore down the stigma that stated the modification of the AR-15 was easy, noting that it took altering the entire firing mechanism within the gun. He finishes his argument with the base fact that alteration of any gun to an automatic was a twenty year prison sentence and a federal felony. Furthermore, Beck feels strongly that the gun is not responsible for killing so much as the individuals using the guns. Beck dives immediately into his argument by writing about the ‘lethality’ of guns. While Nicholas Kristof, a New York Times columnist, says that guns are the most lethal objects around, and that there lays their downfall, Beck writes, “The issues should not really be the lethality of the gun, but the psychology of the person holding it” (3). Later on in the book, Piers Morgan argues that there have been many mass shootings that were not stopped by civilians. Beck points out  how ridiculous this argument is; he states that it should not even get a response. Since mass shootings have already happened, the author points out that of course they couldn’t have been prevented, and that if they had been prevented, they would not be called mass shootings.
 Beck, Glenn, Kevin Balfe, and Hannahthre Beck. Control: Exposing the Truth about Guns. New York: Threshold Editions, 2013. Print.  



This picture indicates the 2nd Amendment

 

Gun control survey

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Discussion blog post #3

Discuss whether the school or the students caused the out lash from Gray and Brendan

                The social interaction of school can often be tough, and experiencing crucial stages of development, young minds are molded and shaped throughout the experience that is high school. However, following the events of Gary and Brendan, two teenagers feed up with the pressures of being social outcast and deciding to act out in violence and kill another student, the question of whether the school authority or student body are to blame, remains ambiguous.

                After the tragedy occurs, countless people are interviewed and questioned about the Columbine like event. Among the many is Emily Kirsh, who states, “Maybe Gary and Brendan were different from other kids, but they still should have been accepted as people. Maybe there should be a mandatory course in school that teaches kids to respect one another no matter what (129).” Her insightful words speak deeply about the event with a sympathetic view towards Gary and Brendan. Instead of blaming shooting as a fluke, she speaks of their peers treating the boys poorly and being condescending towards how different they were. But beyond explaining the scrutiny from their peers, she speaks about the lack of proactive action the school seems to take on the matter of respect among the students.

                The blame can neither lie solely on the school or student body, as it was a collective piece of social shaming and lack of respect or acceptance from the students, and an equal part of the lack of interjection and moderation from the school to guide the children under their authority. Emily Kirsh brings forth the painful truth that the system as it stands was ineffective from both sides of the argument to resolve the issues Gary and Brendan endured pushing them to their violent act.

 

Discussion question blog post #2

Discuss if gun control can limit the amount of deaths in the U.S

According to researched articles, Government statistics, and the book Give a Boy a Gun, there is evidence that supports that Gun control can help prevent deaths in the U.S.  

Many argue that gun control does little to sop deaths in America. Mainly, the argument stands that criminals conducting violent acts of crime would think twice if everyone owned a fire arm. However, according to researched articles, Government statistics, and the book Give a Boy a Gun, there is evidence that supports that Gun control can help prevent deaths in the U.S. While Gun control is often thought of as taking away people’s rights to own firearms, the laws surrounding this topic often works towards background checks and specifically, proper storage of firearms. Firearms, whether legal or not, remain a constant threat if left around unattended.

 Quotes from the story Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser, speaks of the access which the one of the main characters, Ryan Clancy, has to his father’s gun. Clancy says, “My dad has a 9mm Glock he keeps on a Shelf in his bedroom closet.” (Strasser 51) Later in the same paragraph, he also speaks of how a ‘cheap’ gun shown to him is more of a toy. Also, within researched articles such as “Guns Within Reach”, there lies evidence that individuals are improperly storing guns in places where children can easily reach them. The article states that, “nearly 1.7 million children under age 18 live with a loaded and unsecured gun in the house.”(2) Finally, government statistics provide interesting percentages which argues towards the favor of Child Access Prevention Laws. According to smartgunlaws.org, “One study found that in twelve states where such laws had been in effect for at least one year, unintentional firearm deaths fell by 23% from 1990-94 among children under 15 years of age”

 Conclusively, all the evidence leans towards the support of Gun Control laws working in favor of death prevention. With deaths as high as 11,419 people in 2013 alone, Gun Control laws seems to be a wise step in the right direction to taking back 'stolen time'

Gun control smore flyer

Discuss how Gary's childhood played a role in what type of person he became?

 

There were many variables in Gary's childhood that made him become the angry individual he is. Firstly, Gary was constantly picked on for being overweight and a social outcast. Furthermore, Gary's parents constantly are arguing causing further stress in his life. He hates most of the people at his highschool, yet still has a best friend named Brendan. Gary was overweight and I feel this had a contribution to how people treated him. For example "I do recall that some children teased him about his weight (7)". This all relates, because Gary not only had problems at home, but he definately had problems with kids picking on him at school. Argueably, Gary's anger could have been dealt with in a productive way. However, considering the circumstances, Gary's personality is a common product of abusive parents and bullying. Ultimately, Gary was the victim of poor scenerios throughout his childhood. While he could have taken control and worked to fix his problems, to have seen his parents fight and bullying where unfortunate events which lead Gary down the road of anger.

Animoto about gun contol

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Tuesday write

Malcom Gladwell is a very well educated man with a lot of knowledge. He has the mind set which makes the best of every operotunity. For example The Norden bombsight, was not very accurate at the begining. Technology, which was relatively primitive back then, forced the bombsite to complex and only able to integrate a few variables. However, technology soon improved and the bombsite became more accurate and effective, as people and technology became more sophisticated and accurate.




Gladwell's research continues to peek the interest of many people through his interesting articles and compelling pieces. Gladwell's theory of "The 10,000 hour rule" is very powerful and his evidence draws in followers as he is able to examine the ways of our society and generalize it with one rule. I feel as if this rule has given me an entirely different outlook on life. With his evidence and examples such as Bill Gates or Bill Joy, I can truly see that hard work and determination is the key to being successful in life.
One other topic of Gladwell's research that I found interesting was his belief that everything deserves a closer look, from spaghetti to the choices people make. Everything is not as black and white as it seems, there is always a gray area. Life is more complex than what it appears on the surface and society should not take anything for granted.
A phenomenon Gladwell has encouraged me to take a closer look at is Zenyatta's loss at the Breeder's Cup Classic. I have long been fascinated with horses as my father and I have been involved with horse racing for many years. In fact, my father, a jockey of eighteen years, also shares the same curiosity of Zenyatta's loss. Zenyatta, a prodigy of the century, clearly was the favorable horse, yet lost by a nose. At first I assumed that she had lost because she tried to make her move from too far behind. But now, after looking back on the race, many other factors came into the loss. First, the surface she was running on was not the typical synthetic surface she was used to, she was on tapeta. Additionally, she battled unfavorable conditions as she was trailing horses kicking up dirt in her face. After the race, Zenyatta's jockey, Mike Smith, took blame for the loss saying "he shouldn't have let her get so far behind at the beginning with those conditions".