LaPierre's Reflection Paper

Jose Arroyo

Professor Werry

RWS 200 M & W 3:30-4:45

25 February 2015

LaPierre’s Reflection Paper

            In the transcript of NRA’s LaPierre speech on the Newtown Tragedy he states three claims in his piece. One of his claims is that the media attributes to the, “ provoking others to try to make their mark.” The number of violent video games that are present in today’s society supports this claim. For example, “Kindergarten Killers,” illustrates how Adam Lanza, or anybody by that nature, could have been lured to trying or experiencing this kind of horrific gesture of trying to relive a moment played on a video claim. The examples of present day video games is one of his strategies on trying to illuminate how society has played a huge role on influencing people’s minds on cruel acts. Another claim LaPierre states is that every school in America or the world in that matter should be guarded by individuals who posses a firearm. His challenge to his audience’s ethics is a useful strategy to call to play their morals and ethics. When describing how we protect many institutions he reveals how we leave our, “children… defenseless.” The use of this comparison evokes his audience to fully understand the importance of firearms in school grounds because he is trying to convey that guns are actually effective ways of defense. He also states how there should be a mental database of “mentally ill.” This assertion emphasizes the desire of trying to eliminate any possible causes or recurrences of any mass shootings. The ability to eliminate or disable the ability of any of these people to get a gun will prevent mass murders, which LaPierre is stating.

            Some strengths of his argument are that he uses ethos and pathos effectively to connect to his audience emotionally and ethically. The ability to connect and evoke his audience through these appeals enables him to have a clear plan on stopping these types of horrific incidents.  The duration he took to give his defense of the NRA shows his concern and grief for the families but also shows the time and thought it took to build a qualified defense against many outraged parents and people.

            A couple of weakness I saw with this piece is that he assumed everyone was against the NRA, which may of lead to an overgeneralization in piece. But also his claim of allowing individuals having a gun in a “innocent” infrastructure also can lead to some complications. That individual may have passed protocol but they may still been infested with prior video game experience and attack innocent children as well.