Bowling for Columbine
According to Megan McArdle, “Since 1982, there have been at least 62 mass shootings* across the country, with the killings unfolding in 30 states from Massachusetts to Hawaii. Twenty-five of these mass shootings have occurred since 2006, and seven of them took place in 2012.” Violence in schools as well as the country is on the rise at an alarming rate, raising questions about gun control. After viewing the documentary Bowling for Columbine, I was intrigued. What follows is a summary of the documentary viewed and my thoughtful reaction. First, the shocking information and summary of school shootings and gun control must be understood. Throughout the documentary, shocking information on school shootings is shown. On April 20, 1999, the town of Littleton, Colorado was changed forever by the violent acts of two students at Columbine High School. According to the documentary, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold started their morning off by bowling at a local bowling alley. Harris and Klebold then proceeded to the high school equipped with ammunition and guns legally purchased at Kmart. Along with the firearms and ammunition, Harris and Klebold were dressed in long, black trench coats, earning them the name, “Trench Coat Mafia”. Once at the school, pipe bombs were set-off, ensuing mass chaos. Harris and Klebold then fired over 900 rounds of ammunition on students and teachers, killing 12 students and 2 teachers followed by committing suicide. After ignoring pleas, the National Rifle Society (NRA) held a pro-gun rally in Littleton, Colorado a mere Ten days after the school shooting at Columbine. Charleston Heston, NRA President, caused quite a stir when asked to leave and take his guns with saying, “you can pry them from my cold dead hands”. After Columbine, schools locked down on their students. Many schools enforced new uniform policies to ensure weapons could not be concealed in clothing or other places. Along with clothing options, the definition
Cited: Hardy, David T. Bowling for Columbine. David T. Hardy, Apr. 2003. Web. 12 Mar 2013. <http://www.hardylaw.net/Truth_About_Bowling.html> McArdle, Megan. Department of Awful Statistics: Are Mass Shootings Really On the Rise? The Daily Beast, 28 Jan. 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2013. <http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/28/department-of-awful-statistics-are-mass-shootings-really-on-the-rise.html> Rosenberg, Jennifer. Columbine Massacre. About, N.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2013 <http://history1900s.about.com/od/famouscrimesscandals/a/columbine.htm>