Topic 01
Gun Control
I'm not a criminologist. I don't have data you don't have, and I'm just a citizen with an opinion — one I've changed more than once.
Here's what I think anyway. The claim that nothing can be done is the weakest link in the argument, and it's the one people lean on hardest. It isn't a moral position or a constitutional one — it's a prediction about the world. Predictions can be checked against places that tried. Australia tried.
You shouldn't take my word for any of it, which is the entire point of this page. Below are three things other people made that make the case far better than I just did. One is a genuinely readable resource from a leader on the topic. The other two are comedy, which turns out to hold my attention where earnest arguments lose it.
— Rob
In this order
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Illustrated book · start here
Gun Violence 101
The grounding, and the reason to trust anything that follows. Gabor is a criminologist; Lemay makes his evidence legible to people who would never open a policy paper.
This book is so approachable, almost anyone can read and comprehend it in a few sittings. Makes for a wonderful gift to a family member or friend. I recommend Kindle, too, as the graphics are beautiful and one can make good notes and even share bits conveniently. As I was reading it, I thought it should be required reading for any lawmaker or governing politician.
Author's site ↗ Find a copy ↗ -
Video · three parts · 18 min
Australia & Gun Control
The best popular explanation of the Australian buyback that exists. Oliver interviews John Howard — the conservative prime minister who actually did it — and lets him be the one to explain why the "it could never happen here" argument didn't survive contact with a country that made it happen. It's very funny. The funniness is the delivery mechanism, not the point.
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Video · two parts · 16 min
Gun Control
The blunt instrument, and the one I'd send to someone who thinks they've heard every version of this argument. What makes part two worth staying for is that Jefferies takes the strongest objections seriously and answers them, which is more than most of the non-comedic material manages.
Content note: strong language throughout, and he means it to be provocative. If that's a dealbreaker, resources 01 and 02 make the same case without it.
Know something better?
The list is the whole point. If there's a book, a documentary, or a bit that belongs on it, send it to hello@anystupididea.com.