How does a culture of fear promote violence? Perhaps you meant to say that Moore suspects that a culture of fear promotes gun ownership.
Actually, I don't even think I meant that. How I understand it is, in Moore's opinion, the culture of fear promotes making people scared enough to over-react and not take proper precautions. I don't have the statistics at hand, but many gun-shot injuries and deaths are accidents caused by guns being accessible to adults (and children) who have not had adequate safety training. Something I'm sure you would agree is a good idea before using a gun. Imagine someone who thinks their house is being burgled in the middle of the night, pulls out a gun they have never used, full of fear – mistakes will happen. It could end up not being a burglar, but a family member getting shot. Or they could just end up providing a burglar with a weapon they didn't previously have. Etc etc etc. The culture of fear puts them in the frame of mind that yes, makes them get the gun without considering the risk in the first place, but also makes them reach for it whenever they feel threatened – and increases the paranoia to make them feel threatened more often.
If Moore wasn't against guns and gun ownership he wouldn't have pulled that stunt at Charlton Heston's house...
Ok, fair enough. Over the years this part of the film has really got to me. I agree it is completely unnecessary and the film would have been oh so much better without it. I don't know what the guy was thinking. But like he says, he's a member of the NRA and has no problem with rifles. And when it comes to small arms, he goes out of his way in the film to say many people in Canada own hand-guns, but their murder rate in minuscule compared to the states. I personally don't think the National 'Rifle' Association should be so keen on small arms.
Back to the spoon comparison. As I understand it, Walmart used to sell bullets and had few or no restrictions in place when selling them. The kids who shot up Columbine bought the bullets from Walmart. They weren't to blame for the shooting. Moore wasn't blaming Walmart. It's been a while since I watched it too but IIRC, he asked them to put in place greater restrictions, but instead they said they'd simply stop selling bullets. Bravo Walmart!
Not once did he ever ask an adult to account for why a shooting had occured.
This film was more about the columbine kids. Obviously he couldn't ask them why they did it. I have some ideas about that which weren't discussed in the film, but that's a whole other thread. I agree it would have been interesting if he'd asked some adults why they had shot people. I'd be interested to know what they'd say if he could get honest answers. But if they helped promote his view I feel people would suggest he put words in their mouths, and besides, they are criminals.
The point is he never tried to interview the father and tell him what a tit he was for leaving the gun out where his kid could find it.
Imagine the response from the anti-Moore crowd had he done that. “How insensitive”, “how cruel”, “how evil”. You are right that people leaving guns out where kids can get them is wrong. Owning a gun and not looking after it properly and safely is wrong. My interpretation of the film is not that Moore is blaming gun ownership in general, but suggests that irresponsible gun ownership and far too relaxed gun control laws contribute to the problem, as does the climate of fear. No single thing is blamed, although I felt there was emphasis on the fear argument. Lots of possible reasons are explored and it's up to the viewer to contemplate the evidence. It's true Moore has his views, also there was bias at play when he picked the subjects for the film in order to paint the picture he wanted. This is commonplace with documentaries. I don't agree entirely with Moore's politics, but there are enough interesting facts and ideas in that film to make it worth watching at least once imo.
If you don't agree, no problem. I'd be interested to know what you and people who have researched the subject think causes such high gun crime figures in the states.
Woooh, I didn't mean for this reply to go on so long. I think I made the same point twice back there a few time. Cheers if you managed to get to the end without falling asleep :-)
-zudo
