Although cartoonists are able to portray their opinions within their cartoons, each of the ones we evaluated included factual information regarding gun control. After our team determined the reality portrayed in each cartoon, we set out to find as much information as possible on gun control and the debate currently surrounding it. In each of the tabs listed above we included information on gun laws, homicides, Obama's stance on gun control, the NRA and much more. We wanted to include this information on our blog as a way to help viewers to understand the a bit more about the background in each cartoon we evaluated. After gathering our information and comparing it to the cartoons displayed, we concluded that there are more facts supporting the cartoons that were positive for stricter gun control. As a team we decided to come up with our own cartoon (depicted below) that would portray our personal opinions on the need for stricter gun control that we cultivated after completing this project.
So What?
As we learned in class, sometimes cartoons are the best way to get the facts out there because they give information in a simple and entertaining way. We concluded that it was much easier for each of us to find more positive framing cartoons for gun control than negative framing. We had to search a lot harder for cartoons framing gun control in a negative way. If this is the case for the majority of US citizens, these cartoons may have an impact on the way they perceive the new proposals for stricter gun laws. We also believe the surplus of positive framing cartoons emphasizes the Pew Research Poll which states that more US citizens support gun control than oppose it.
The Shot Hear Around the World
By: Teddy's Angels
What do we think about gun control?
"I am all for gun control. I love the comparison made on the blog with Australia and their gun control policy. It obviously has worked before, I personally don't understand why so many people are against it. It seems like a simple answer to me." - Kori Slager
"Guns have never been a huge part of my life, although gun control is definitely the route to take in my opinion. We are only SHOOTING ourselves in the foot if we don't compromise for the greater good and make changes." - Stacey Worster
"The quote that has always bothered me a little bit is: 'Guns don't kill people. People kill people.' This ideology irritates me because it should be read as follows. 'People WITH guns kill people.' I don't think it is a bad idea to follow Prime Minister Howard and Australia's successful example. If Americans could control themselves and handle guns with safety, this wouldn't be an issue. But because there have been so many firearm related homicides, the obvious answer is to adopt a strict gun control policy." - Kelsey Schwab
"I agree that we need a stricter gun control policy. Maybe it's true that it won't solve things immediately, but we need to act. Keeping things how they are obviously isn't working. Let's try something new and keep revising our laws until we all are safe and there are no more shootings. I think that we owe it to the families of those murdered to change things." - Tiffany Funk
"I found it interesting that a cartoon could capture such a serious topic. I normally just think of cartoons as a joke. But there is more in an editorial cartoon. It is far more sophisticated. So after analyzing all the cartoons about gun control, I was able to get a better view on the subject. Behind the satire and over-exaggerated elements, I saw the truth. The stronger argument for me was for stricter gun laws. We are supposed to learn from history and that's what most of the cartoonists constantly brought up. Those massacres happened because there wasn't enough restrictions in place. As I see it, we aren't trying to get rid of guns completely, but just implementing more limits to prevent any more disasters. All the cartoonists emphasized a sense of safety." - Mandi West
"Guns have never been a huge part of my life, although gun control is definitely the route to take in my opinion. We are only SHOOTING ourselves in the foot if we don't compromise for the greater good and make changes." - Stacey Worster
"The quote that has always bothered me a little bit is: 'Guns don't kill people. People kill people.' This ideology irritates me because it should be read as follows. 'People WITH guns kill people.' I don't think it is a bad idea to follow Prime Minister Howard and Australia's successful example. If Americans could control themselves and handle guns with safety, this wouldn't be an issue. But because there have been so many firearm related homicides, the obvious answer is to adopt a strict gun control policy." - Kelsey Schwab
"I agree that we need a stricter gun control policy. Maybe it's true that it won't solve things immediately, but we need to act. Keeping things how they are obviously isn't working. Let's try something new and keep revising our laws until we all are safe and there are no more shootings. I think that we owe it to the families of those murdered to change things." - Tiffany Funk
"I found it interesting that a cartoon could capture such a serious topic. I normally just think of cartoons as a joke. But there is more in an editorial cartoon. It is far more sophisticated. So after analyzing all the cartoons about gun control, I was able to get a better view on the subject. Behind the satire and over-exaggerated elements, I saw the truth. The stronger argument for me was for stricter gun laws. We are supposed to learn from history and that's what most of the cartoonists constantly brought up. Those massacres happened because there wasn't enough restrictions in place. As I see it, we aren't trying to get rid of guns completely, but just implementing more limits to prevent any more disasters. All the cartoonists emphasized a sense of safety." - Mandi West
