Sunday, March 8, 2015

TOW #22 (Non-Fiction) Protect the Police from Armor-Piercing Bullets from the NYT Ed-Board

America's 2nd amendment allows the right to bear arms. However, there is now less in less need for guns in this developed world. In fact, guns are leading to more problems in America as shootings are becoming more prevalent in the past years. This leads Americans such as one of the authors in the Editorial Board of the New York Times to want gun restrictions. The author uses examples of gun violence and the authority of the federal government to argue for gun limits in America.

The author first uses the recent controversy of 5.56 mm steel core bullets that "can be used in newly adapted handguns to provide lethal force to pierce the vests and body armor used by law enforcement officers" to introduce the topic to his audience by using a current issue. She states that many people are rallying against the production of these bullets since the can pose a great threat to Americans and especially the police force that would have to face these bullets if the bullets got into the wrong hands. The author then reminds the reader of the "schoolhouse massacre of 20 children in Connecticut" that happened two years ago, the Sandy Hook Massacre. By bringing up this horrible incident which was a high point in anti-gun feelings in America, the author appeals to pathos and evokes emotion to further her argument for gun restrictions. The author effectively persuades the reader into seeing her point through both facts and emotion.

The author also appeals to ethos as he refers to the federal government and the action it is taking to place limits on guns in America. Concerning the 5.5.6 mm steel core bullets mentioned earlier, the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives"  sensibly propose[d] banning it in the name of greater gun safety." Also, "the gun lobby is marshaling gun owners and legislative allies to oppose the ban, falsely accusing the Obama administration of exceeding its authority through some backdoor attempt at gun control. The law, however, is clear: Armor-piercing handgun ammunition has been banned since 1986, and the firearms agency has the responsibility to regulate the law’s enforcement." The government is also working on a bipartisan proposal between "Representatives Peter King, Republican of New York, and Mike Thompson, Democrat of California" to extend the government's reach in gun sales and gun checks. By using the American government, the author builds an incredibly strong ethos that cannot by argued against easily. 
                                    5.56mm bullets

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