U.S. Debate On Gun Laws Is Put to a Test In Colorado

Jack Healy and Dan Frosch discuss the pressing issue of gun control in America that has recently been highlighted by the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.  The authors immediately present this topic as a dispute that needs to be resolved very quickly. The article begins when the authors write, "With politicians in Washington deeply divided over new gun regulations, an urgent national debate ignited by the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School is storming into state legislatures across the country."  In this single opening sentence Healy and Frosch establish the facts that the recent tragedy added fuel to this already burning argument, the issue historically causes innumerable disputes between different sections of the government and the country as a whole, and that it must be resolved quickly.  The authors begin by focusing on the side of the argument that is pushing for stricter gun control.  Healy and Frosch refer to two tragedies that occurred in Colorado as a result of gun possession.  By mentioning these awful events, the authors use pathos by acting on the conscious of the readers through these heartfelt and notorious stories. From these initial descriptions, the authors appear bias toward the side of the argument pushing for stricter control.  However, they quickly transition to explain the cultural aspects that justify the continued use of guns for a large portion of the country. The authors express this cultural aspect on a more personal level when they quote Mr. Hickenlooper: "Even saying that puts some people into a frenzy. People in the West have a very strong, deeply anchored belief in people’s right to bear arms.”  This quotation depicts the strong connection between western culture and the use of guns.  The authors directly juxtapose the main points of each side of the argument to demonstrate the heated debates resulting from this issue.  Not only do the authors use this tactic of juxtaposition, but they also describe the toll that the issue is taking on the government and the country as a whole.  Through this combination, they relay the fact that the best option would be to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.  Although the decision will produce further controversy, the government must reach a conclusion soon in order to find a balance of preservation of culture and necessary safety measures.