Claudia Peinado
Professor Nelson
RWS 100
26 November 2013 Gun Control
INTRO: In Wayne LaPierre’s transcript of the “Newton Shooting”, and Sam Harris’ “Riddle of the Gun” both authors touch upon scenarios within our society and lead into their personal opinions on behalf of each situation. In response to the Newtown Shooting, where 26 children and staff were brutally murdered, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and American philosopher and author Sam Harris attempt to convince the public that we need armed security guards in our schools to protect our children. Although LaPierre and Harris use different rhetorical strategies to convey their claims, their purposes and overall argument are quite similar as they both try to …show more content…

HARRIS:

ETHOS: In Sam Harris’, “Riddle of the Gun” Harris utilizes an ethos-based approach by touching upon his personal experience as a gun owner. As a gun owner Harris gains credibility on behalf of his arguments both for and against guns. Harris states, “Every month or two I spend a full day shooting with a highly qualified instructor... this is an expensive and time-consuming habit, but I view it as part of my responsibility as a gun owner”(69). Harris later says, “As a gun owner I understand the ethical importance of them, and can not wish for a world without them”(69). Without guns there is no one to intervene in horrible situations. For example if a woman is being raped and help against her will by the tip of a knife, who would be strong enough to intervene without the power and confidence of a gun? Harris believes without knowledge on how these weapons operate they can be very dangerous within our society, however banning them completely would be counterproductive in relation to our safety as a nation.

LOGOS: In Harris’, “Riddle of the Gun” he states how the people who wish for a world without guns all together, are those that are uneducated on what violence truly is. “A world without guns is one in which the most aggressive of men can do more or less do anything they want”(69). Harris previews some gun-less scenarios, for instance “There have been cases of prison guards (who generally don’t carry guns) helplessly standing by as one of their own is