Comment Critique

The Austin American-Statesmen, is the online news source chosen for this blog. More gun on campus will not make us safer by Editorial Board(the writers of this commentary are editors from the Austin American Statesmen), is a short article found on the sites OPINION tab. It's political and social context is directed to young adults especially those in higher education. Due to the rise in school shootings, the topic of gun control has become a popular debate.

In response to the massive record of school shootings in the U.S. many people have shown extreme concern over the fluidness that goes into obtaining a gun. The fact that many of the shooters were reported to have suffered from serious mental illnesses is repeatedly looked over. Recent studies have shown that a very large percentage of students in college suffer from depression and thoughts of suicide. The gravity of the situation has been noted by the president who stands with the people's concerns, but with congress in disagreement, nothing has been done in resolving the problem. The students, staff members, parents of students, and even the president have spoken, and they stand behind strict gun control. It's alarming that their voices aren't heard by the legislative branch even after indication that the attacks show no inclination of decelerating. 

In reference to the title it serves as a claim, More guns on campus will not make us safer. The choice of the word, us, indicates the directed audience is young and in college. In considering that mass shootings are becoming more and more frequent, it is appropriate for the writers to take the direction of educating students in the dangers of allowing guns on campus. 

The first focal point, is the numbers,  "142 school shootings and nearly 1,000 mass shootings"(Par. 3)  in the time span of three years. This allows for immediate emotional response from the readers, who may have been surprised to learn about such high numbers. In addition, in order to solidity their data the author(s) name their source, The Guardian's database.

The next thing was to identify the big names that support their claim. Opening with the Chief of Command aka. The President, UT Systems Chancellor William McRaven and moving on to more intimate supporters like school faculty members, students, and parents. In incorporating different levels of people who also share their same point of view broader connections can be made with a array of personalities.

The articles main source of evidence are the statistics, records and recent studies found about mass shootings. By showing that a big ratio of the shooters fit a certain profile and emphasizing that if guns weren't so attainable in the U.S., many of the tragedies could have been avoided. The closing statement urges individuals to take part in speaking out on gun laws and to not give into the notion that a gun for a gun in the hands of students will not subside the number of school assaults that occur.

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