When I first started reading Adam Gopnik's article, I wasn't quite sure what it was about. However as I continued reading, I became deeply drawn into his views and the way he expressed them. Gopnik's use of quotes, statistics, sarcasm, and shockingly obvious logic gives his piece the matter-of-fact tone that is needed to get the message through to readers. It is nearly impossible to believe that any American could read this article and not take a stance on how the United States handles gun control.
Every few years we hear about a devastating shooting like Columbine or Virginia Tech. Every few years we mourn the losses those who didn't need to die. Every few years there are people on T.V. talking about the shooters mental illness. Unfortunately, every few years U.S. gun control laws aren't increased. We are not learning from our mistakes like Scotland or Canada, as Gopnik points out in his article.
Gopnik also touches on another serious issue. The heavy presence of the N.R.A., with its capitalist agenda and ideas that "every man has the right to bear arms" that dates back to the 1700s. He admits that there will always be a part of America that has a focus on hunting. That is perfectly acceptable, but Gopnik also notes "hunters need rifles and shotguns-- with proper licensing, we'll live with the risk. There is no reason that any private citizen in a democracy should own a handgun." He is right. You can't justify any average American citizen needing a handgun or a semi-automatic or anything that is really meant to kill anyone, if no other average American citizen has one either. A simple background check before purchase could solve so many problems. Gopnik points all of this out with great style and articulation. His article was more than a pleasure to read.
As for Susan Sontag's article, it was equally interesting although slightly more insulting. Not insulting to me, not insulting to the informed public, but a slight undertone of blame towards the leaders who kept this in the dark.
I did however find it quite refreshing that Sontag didn't just talk about what went wrong. When this article was written, America felt like a victim. And in some ways, America was. There was in fact, another part of the story that most Americas didn't know. Sontag's way of addressing what so many Americans didn't know after such a traumatic experience was perfect.
She was subtle when needed and harsh when expected. Just like Gopnik's I very much enjoyed reading it.
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