Guns

A short and though-provoking essay on America's stance on guns and gun violence. I liked it a lot - King is moderate on the issue, wanting not a ban on firearms (he owns a few himself), but reforms in gun laws. This is not a new stance, nor is his point one we've never heard before.

The heart of the essay is the way he directly addresses the false and sadly widespread claims that pop culture is what makes people go and shoot people. Starting with a book he wrote early in his career, Rage, and eventually touching upon the top books, films, and games sold/seen in 2012, he refutes the idea that an overly violent media culture is a problem. In fact, he points out how little gun violence is found in the top 10 books and movies of the last year.

Lastly, he addresses the President's recent calls for gun reform and which ones he thinks will succeed and which will not. He is hopeful and optimistic that our leaders will be able to find a way to address our ever-rising gun violence statistics. Here's hoping he's right.