The document discusses the ongoing debate around gun control in the United States. It notes that the debate centers around whether increased gun regulation would violate the Second Amendment right to bear arms or help address gun violence. The author describes how people on both sides of the issue argue over whether increased gun access or the presence of guns themselves is more to blame for mass shootings. The document also summarizes a play called "Revolver" that aims to provide different perspectives on both sides of the debate without taking a stance, in order to promote further thought on the complex issue.

1. “You Have/Don’t Have the Right to Bear Arms?”
- Elisabeth McGowan
Nowadays, one of the biggest problems in society is the argument over gun
control. Everyone knows once they turn on CNN there was another horrific shooting
somewhere in the country. Gun violence has existed for the past several decades, but the
debate over gun control has sparked nationwide attention. The main sides of this
argument involves some thinking that guns should be prevented from the public no
matter what, while others believe that the people have a right to purchase guns for
defensive purposes. Then there’s also the fact that a gun control law would go against the
2nd
Amendment, the “right to bear arms.” This entire argument centers on which is to
blame: the person pulling the trigger or the gun itself for its presence.
All over Facebook, I have seen friends sharing videos that supported gun control;
the statements from those videos – “Look at how easy it is to buy a 45 caliber gun. See
the problem?” and “Americans are buying guns in record numbers, stop gun usage!” –
are pretty big claims. Can you imagine the comments fighting back from those who
oppose gun control? Well some had people saying, “But the main ones behind these
shootings were terrorists; if regular citizens had guns in the areas they were in, they could
have fought back and not as many would have been shot by one gunman.” So again, who
or what is to blame: the gunman or the gun?
Paul Trupia wrote a fiercely effective play – Revolver. He deepens the gun control
argument with actual images for the audience to decide who or what should be blamed
for modern-day gun tragedies. All characters vary between every scene of this one-act
production, but each one ends with a different perspective on what is at fault for this
societal issue. He inconspicuously examines both sides of the debate throughout the
scenes because he doesn’t want to make a claim on any side; he just wants people to
think further about this issue by seeing different events unfold.
Some people take this subject personally. I know a few who are solely supportive for gun
control and refuse to even listen to the other side express any opposing opinions. I also
know others who seriously believe that gun control would just worsen the country. It was
difficult for me to pick a side, but after reading Trupia’s work, I formed my own opinions
on this problem. I genuinely got a clearer picture of what the main dilemma is, at least
from my own perception.

2. If you’re feeling like I did, unsure of how exactly to look at this argument, you
can receive an awakening portrayal from Revolver. If you already chose a side, you
would also get an educational, bird’s-eye view just as much as someone without a solid
opinion does. Trupia’s play welcomes every belief, every position stemmed from this
national dispute, and that is precisely why you should see it. Please comment below!
Revolver will be playing at the Riant Theatre at the Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423
West 46th
St, for the Strawberry One-Act Festival July 16th
at 5pm and July 20th
and 25th
at 7pm.