Under the Gun

After this month's horrific murder in Orlando, and after marching Sunday with Moms Demand Action at the SF Pride Parade, and after calling politicians during the government sit-in last week, I knew I had to learn more about the stranglehold the NRA has placed on our government… I just got off the couch from watching Katie Couric's newly released documentary (free on EPIX which Comcast doesn't offer… I streamed for $0.99 on Amazon). I took a huge number of notes on all the atrocities I learned, which I know I'll need as ammunition for future gun battles ahead. (PUBLIC DISCLAIMER; I don't believe in taking anyone's guns away. I think that it should be harder to shoot a gun than to drive a car… and believe in closing the terrorist watch list loophole.) I learned a ton with this less-than-2 hour documentary, and strongly recommend it to the members of Moms Demand Action/Everytown Against Gun Violence/the Brady Campaign and others interested in reducing gun violence – or learning why America is having such a hard time doing so. Yes I know there was one edit made unfairly for "the other side"... bottom line, this shares a lot of truths about why America can't change gun laws. If moms can lobby the automobile industry for safer cars and car seats - and win - then moms can do so with the NRA for gun safety and less gun violence. #Enough #DisarmHate

It would be nice to see an unbiased documentary on this topic. This is neither a documentary or reporting as it is obviously screwed and spun. Just another propaganda piece.

"Oh my God! They added a pause! This film is bogus!" writes anyone who hasn't actually seen the entire film.

The truth is, this is an incredibly well-made, informative, and at times highly infuriating look at America's gun laws. The film makes clear in no uncertain terms that it is NOT advocating for banning guns are taking away guns in America. In fact, it makes clear up front that the Supreme Court has expressly forbid such actions.

What it does focus on is how America got to its current state of leading the developed world in mass shooting and other forms of gun violence. What is also focuses on very well are the victim's stories and the history of the NRA.

The controversy surrounding the "misleading edit" is so overblown. It's such an insignificant part of the doc, and really it's being used as a distraction to defer from the real damning statistics, laws, and policies the NRA has pushed to implement over the years.

I really encourage all of the one-star reviewers to hold their tongues until they've seen the entire doc. See if you feel as outraged over an added pause after you see how the ATF still needs to use a paper-based filing system for gun reports because of laws enacted by the NRA (if that doesn't sound like a big deal, wait until you hear them talk about how they need to take safety precautions to make sure their floor doesn't collapse from the weight of all of the file boxes).

P.S. Anyone familiar with how documentaries are made should know that docs are not journalism. They are opinion pieces. I personally think the pause is unfortunate because it is all anyone is talking about. But the rest of the doc is filled with statistics that make a compelling case for reforming America's gun laws.

I saw the "scandal" of curouic "doctoring" the video to make the pro- gun people appear dumb founded. I had to watch it myself. This who documentary lacks a single shred of journalistic integrity. It is absolutely biased and un-apologetically dishonest. Don't waste your time watching a video of lies. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME

She has since "apologized"but its not the first time she has been busted for writing sensational articles that are far from true. This lacks any scientific method to it. She set out to prove her hypothesis so she did anything to make her position seem right. If you respect your time, go out to a gun range and shoot a gun. Nothing will shut down her anti gun rhetoric but fighting back

"Under the Gun" is a documentary about increased gun control and I know this is a huge issue here in the United States. I also think it's important to you that you understand that I am a gun owner. I own several guns and have had training on how to use them safely. My guns are always under lock and key when I am not using them and I am not simply a 'gun nut'. So, at the outset I have a certain bias against a film promoting some of the things that "Under the Gun" promotes--though everyone seeing the film has some sort of bias...that is natural. I also think the documentary occasionally misses the mark. Yet, still, despite its flaws, the film is very well made, makes some excellent points and is the sort of documentary that you need to watch with some Kleenex handy, as it's very effective--especially when you hear the heartbreaking stories of the victims of gun violence.

"Under the Gun" is not necessarily in favor of the confiscation of guns or preventing people from legally purchasing guns--this is very important to point out at the onset. This is important because if that was the thrust of the film, I would not be recommending you see it--especially since confiscating the hundreds of millions of guns in this country is logistically impossible. Instead, it talks about a few problems which are apparently in the way of a more rational American gun policy. Often I find myself agreeing with the film wholeheartedly. After all, if background checks make mistakes and the wrong sort of people get guns, then that is a problem we need to remedy. Likewise, I can understand their dislike of the NRA...heck, even a lot of gun owners don't agree with many of the organization's positions. It makes all these points very well. What it doesn't do, however, is always hit the bulls-eye, so to speak. At one point, the film seems to champion suing gun manufacturers instead of focusing on the folks committing the crime...much like folks who want to sue tobacco companies or fast food companies for their health problems. I believe in individual choice...so this part of the film really bothered me. Likewise, it really, really bothered me when the film is pushing for full background checks (something most Americans endorse, by the way) but never once mentions that folks who are convicted criminals, dangerously mentally ill or spousal abusers are almost never prosecuted when they do these background checks now. According to Politifact, only about 44 prosecutions resulted from over 80,000 of these illegal attempts to purchase guns...and not mentioning this in the film seems like a very curious omission. I don't understand why this was never mentioned....and Politifact is hardly a right-wing organization.

Despite my many misgivings, I cannot discount the film as it makes some excellent points while simultaneously pulling at the viewers' emotions. The documentary is very well made and you cannot discount much of what it's trying to say. But blaming mostly the NRA, gun manufacturers and gun store owners alone just seems rather simplistic. However, whether I agree with a film 100% of the time is not the same as to whether or not it's a good film or one worth seeing. This one is generally well made and makes some very convincing points...and shouldn't be ignored. We need to talk openly and honestly about gun violence...not just in the States but throughout the world. I would just like to see a film about gun violence that offers a bit more balance and a more comprehensive list of solutions.