Under the Gun

At 21:48 Couric is made to appear as if she has stumped the Virginia Citizens Defense League by asking the question, "If there are no background checks for gun purchasers, how do you prevent felons or terrorists from purchasing a gun?" Subsequent to this question, the camera pans from VCDF member to member and all appear to be mesmerized by this question. Problem is, the editor of the film removed their verbose answers to this question, and inserted film of them patiently waiting to be asked a question.

If this is an example of what Couric considers journalistic integrity, then she will always be remembered as a hack propagandist rather than a serious investigative reporter.

Sounds like pimp in action to me wants the of both worlds Look at the movies that movies with Gun Violence being are air on Epix channels majority are of gun violence they go ahead and show these movies knowing that they will make them rich.

Then s they go out scream into a microphone saying they feel guns should be banned and/or controlled.

They know they can get rich having it both ways they can get rich and fattening their bank accounts..

I will bet like all CEO's Actors they have their armed guard 24/7. the average person does not... GIVE ME A BREAK YOU PIMPS!

As a mother and non gun owner it is increasingly maddening to watch shooting after shooting and NOTHING happen. I was thankful for the insight the movie showed on why there is no national digital registry and background history of NRA involvement / lobby on behalf of their clients, aka gun MANUFACTURERS. Seriously- some simple regulations here will do wonders folks, and no one wants to take away your guns, we just want to make it harder for those with a history of violence or mental health to NOT. Had really hoped that after Sandy Hook we would come together as a nation and say enough. I'm writing this after the largest mass murder at a dance club has taken place, and really hope others get a chance to see this film and make changes locally- like Washington state did. Because big government is strangled by the NRA. Shame on them for lying to their members and spreading false truths about the government repealing the second amendment. As if!

Greetings again from the darkness. Filmmaker Stephanie Soechtig and journalist Katie Couric, who brought us the 2014 documentary "Fed Up" about childhood obesity, re-team to deliver a "20/20" type presentation billed as a "balanced look at the gun debate". It's a polarizing topic and we hear from the families of victims, experts in the field, and gun rights advocates. Supplemented by some startling statistics, it seems incomprehensible that some common ground has yet to be found.

The opening credits play over a video timeline of gun law highlights and news clips of shooting events such as Martin Luther King, Jr, Bobby Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. It then hits us with the first mind-numbing stat … during the run time of the film, 22 people will be shot in America, and 6 will die. It's at this point where we realize the "balanced" approach is really not likely since it's an emotional debate as much as (or more) than an intellectual one. It's the stricter gun law faction vs. Second amendment purists.

There is simply no comparison to the personal stories of parents who have had a child killed at Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut or at the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. Regardless of where you stand on gun rights, these stories are heart-breaking and devastating. There is also a segment with Gabby Giffords, who is still recovering from her 2011 gunshot wounds, and along with her husband astronaut Mark Kelly, has joined the fight for gun control laws. ( sidenote: It did seem odd that Kelly's rip of the Cub Scouts made the final cut).

Much of the film is spent on the issues of background checks and the infamous Gun Show loophole. It's here that we begin to understand the strength of the NRA. Founded in 1871, the NRA was originally designed to fine-tune the "aim" of those wishing to shoot firearms. It is now a political powerhouse and one of the most pervasive lobbyists in Washington, DC. The film is quite fair in distinguishing between the NRA senior executives, and the rank-and-file members who are fed a steady dose of propaganda that borders on fear-mongering. Though most NRA members stand in favor of background checks to prevent felons, terrorists, and the underage from obtaining fire arms, the NRA continues to preach that 'they are going to take away your guns' and that 'it takes a good guy with a gun to defeat a bad guy with a gun'.

It doesn't seem that the filmmakers set out to change anyone's mind on the topic, but rather to highlight the importance of some type of compromise or common ground in light of the 32,000 people who die in America from gunshots each year. And seriously, does it make sense that there are more gun stores in the U.S. than McDonalds and Starbucks combined? The most honest and direct moment of the film comes when one of the parents of a victim states, "we don't want your sorry's or prayers … we want your action."

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