Ep 7. Gunfight USA

Gunfight USA is the seventh episode of the first season of Frontline. This episode delves into the issue of gun violence in the United States, exploring the causes, consequences, and possible solutions to the problem. Frontline takes a comprehensive look at gun ownership laws, gun culture, and mass shootings in America.

The episode begins by showcasing a gruesome mass shooting that took place in Stockton, California in 1989. Twenty years ago, a man named Patrick Purdy walked into an elementary school with an AK-47 rifle and opened fire, killing five children and leaving many more injured. This tragic event led to intense debates about gun control in Congress, but little action was taken. Frontline examines the legacy of the Stockton shooting and its impact on the national gun debate.

Frontline then explores the reasons for America’s high rate of gun ownership and gun violence. The show notes that there are nearly 300 million guns in circulation in the United States, with one gun for every American adult. The program challenges the myth that gun ownership is a safeguard against crime, and examines how the American gun culture has contributed to the problem. This includes the romanticization of guns in movies, video games, and social media.

The program also examines the role of powerful gun lobbying groups like the National Rifle Association (NRA) in shaping American gun laws. Frontline interviews NRA officials and explores their tactics for blocking gun control laws, such as their intense opposition to background checks for gun buyers.

The program takes on the subject of mass shootings in America and what can be done to prevent them. Previous mass shootings such as the one in Columbine in 1999 and Virginia Tech in 2007 are revisited. Experts interviewed in the program share their views on why these shootings happened and what could have been done to prevent them.

The program highlights the efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) to tackle gun violence, including tracing the origins of weapons used in crimes. It also reveals how the ATF is hindered in these efforts by certain gun laws and lack of resources.

The episode concludes by probing into the solutions that could help curb gun violence in the United States. The show explores models of responsible gun ownership laws used by other countries such as Australia and Japan. It also highlights innovative initiatives such as “buybacks” in which communities buy guns back from gun owners. Lastly, the program looks into the prospects for future gun control laws in America.

Overall, Gunfight USA is a sobering and crucial episode that lays bare the complexities of the issue of gun violence in the United States. It provides a comprehensive look at the subject, from the historical background of gun laws in the country, to the role of the NRA, to the human toll of mass shootings. The show challenges current policies, and asks the tough question: Is America doing enough to combat its epidemic of gun violence?