The group Sandy Hook Promise has released, through the high-powered ad agency BBDO New York, a PSA that it hopes will help people spot signs of gun violence, particularly among young people, and perhaps intervene to avert disaster.
Do you see the chilling warning signs in this PSA about gun violence? https://t.co/lzKWy0ofAC
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/rachelveronica/status/805889662837522432
No one, hopefully, is going to argue with the goal of preventing another school shooting like Sandy Hook or Columbine. It’s a bit worrisome, though, just how many of those “chilling warning signs” could be anything but.
The PSA is presented in the form of a short film, with a bored student transforming into a school shooter in the compressed space of two-and-a-half minutes, during which he reads a magazine about firearms and watches a YouTube video about how to shoot them.
California Lt. Governor Newsom, who tweeted earlier this year that “it’s easier to get a gun than a Happy Meal in California,” was impressed.
Such a powerful video by @sandyhook reminding us that gun violence is preventable, and how to recognize the signs. pic.twitter.com/3hYUU3ltlu
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) December 5, 2016
Some actual gun owners, though, are finding the whole package just a little too tidy.
https://twitter.com/youngblackcon/status/805980393040183296
https://twitter.com/MichxelMxnik/status/805952581885259776
https://twitter.com/DustinCahoon84/status/806147025700057088
This video does not even touch what the stats show as causing most gun deaths, suicide.
— A Meh Gal ¯_(ツ)_/¯ (@GallSueJoe) December 6, 2016
Reading a gun magazine, scowling, flipping someone off, getting bullied & making "finger guns" means you will be a mass murderer? #Terrible! https://t.co/wiympxXqqp
— Chris Loesch (@ChrisLoesch) December 6, 2016
Hey, those finger guns can get you suspended or worse; and don’t get us started on those assault Pop-Tarts.
@GavinNewsom This kind of "awareness" film is more dangerous than a firearm. It inspires lone wolves to act.
— Erik D. Reedy (@ERIK_D_REEDY) December 6, 2016
Jenn Jacques of Twitchy sister site Bearing Arms wrote up her own thoughtful impressions of Sandy Hook Promise’s PSA and makes an important observation.
Sandy Hook Promise Offers Training to Reduce Gun Violence https://t.co/dWJzywMUtf pic.twitter.com/StTtdhzc8u
— Bearing Arms (@BearingArmsCom) December 5, 2016
“The child in this video obviously has issues that go deeper than access to a tool,” she notes. “Was it bullying, mental health issues or boredom that drove him to attempt to shoot up his school?”
Bullying? Learning abt firearms? Boredom? Watching YouTube gun training vids? Their website doesn't make it clear, does call for "gunsense". https://t.co/ect0RZZ5FO
— It’s Just Jenn (@JennJacques) December 6, 2016
Politicians like Newsom, however, aren’t going to let lingering questions like that get in the way of another attempt to enforce “gunsense” through legislation.
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