Obama’s weekly address: Only strong public support can make gun control happen

“None of this will be easy,” the president says in his weekly address. “Already, we’re seeing pundits, politicians, and special-interest lobbyists calling any attempt at commonsense reform an all-out assault on liberty — not because that’s true, but because that’s how they get higher ratings and make more money. And behind the scenes, they’re doing everything they can to protect the status quo.”

Ad hominem circumstantial.

“Ask your member of Congress if they support universal background checks and renewing a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. And if the answer is no, ask them why not. Ask them why an ‘A’ grade from the gun lobby is more important than keeping kids safe in a first grade classroom,” the president says.

Loaded question based on a false dichotomy. The reason why no member of Congress should support a ban on military-style rifles is that very few murders are committed with such rifles. In 2011, more people were murdered by brute human force than by rifles. Moreover, responsible owners of military-style weapons shouldn’t be punished because some deranged lunatic stole his mother’s weapons and went on a killing spree.

“Rachel is counting on us. Let’s get this done for her, and let’s make this country a safer place for all our children to learn and grow,” he concludes.

Ugh, what a contemptible appeal to emotion.

Baerwulf on January 19, 2013 at 12:37 PM