Bowling for Columbine
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The film, “Bowling for Columbine” (Moore), is a documentary, directed by Michael Moore, which explores the roots of violence and the debate over gun control in America. It discusses why Canadas crime rate is much lower than ours, and what role the media plays in crime in the United States. Moore suggests that fear may be the source of all the violence we experience, and the main cause of our death-by-gun problem. He also states that while the availability of firearms may be a factor, it is not the primary reason.
When he visited Canada, Moore discovered that our northern neighbor has just as many guns per household as we do, yet the death toll is much, much, lower. There are 30 million people in Canada. 7 million of them own guns. In 2002, out of the 70,000 people that live in Ontario, there were zero murders. In 2001, there was only one murder. Each year, 11,000 people out of our population of 280 million, are killed by guns. Even when the statistics are adjusted in consideration of the unequal populations, the difference is still very drastic. Canadians also dont feel the need to lock their doors at night. They are, overall, more trusting of their neighbors than we are. (“Bowling For Columbine”)
Although the murder rate has gone down 20%, television coverage of violent crimes has increased by 600%. The news focuses on local violence. At one point in the film, Moore asked a local news reporter which he would choose to cover: a story about a shooting, or one about a baby drowning in a river. The reporter answered this question with ease. He chose the shooting. The media is obsessed with crime and death. Evening news and reality shows, such as “Cops,” convince people into thinking that the world is more dangerous than it really is. This instills a sense of fear into the people of America.
Americans are generally a very frightened group. Many live in gated communities, and most lock their doors at night. Its not uncommon for people to sleep with loaded handguns under their pillows. Knowing that they have the gun there, if needed, makes them feel safe and secure. Fear makes people anxious, which in turn leads to violence. It also doesnt help that we have such easy access to guns. Bullets are sold at around seventeen cents apiece in some places.
The United States has a very aggressive and brutal nature. We solve problems and differences with guns