‘Bowling for Columbine’
rolls a strike

Why is America so trigger-happy? This is one of the questions that surrounds Michael Moore’s brilliant documentary, “Bowling for Columbine.” The film has nothing but sheer power over the audience, making them question their own attitudes about keeping weapons in their homes. I was frozen in my chair as the ending credits rolled, completely thrown off guard by the audacity of this marvelous yet somber film.

We follow Moore, a former sharpshooter and member of the NRA himself, as he works his way across the country. He discusses America’s near-obsession with guns, and why this country has, by far, the highest death-by-firearms rate in the world. He talks to the Michigan militia, who argues that every responsible person should be armed with a gun. Moore also draws our attention to Virgin, Utah, where everyone is legally obligated to be armed with a gun. There are also many wonderful interviews: John Nichols, brother of Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols, rambles on a frightening tirade about weapons ownership; and Marilyn Manson, often blamed for teen violence, proves himself a well-spoken and thoughtful individual. One particularly scathing scene is with NRA President Charlton Heston, who lives in a mansion surrounded by a steel gate, and essentially admits that while there are loaded guns there for “protection,” he only has them there because he has the right to have them.

Moore dismisses the “easy targets” of gun violence: video games, movies, television and so forth. Who is really responsible? The filmmaker points a heavy finger at the news media, which he argues feeds into American fear (while murder is down 20 percent in recent years, media coverage of murder is up 600 percent). Journalism seems to take a backseat to sensationalism, and it’s certainly a factor as to why Americans grasp their guns a little tighter.

Moore’s style is nothing less than stunning. He first lulls your sense of security by throwing out a few hearty laughs, then blindsides you with frightening statistics and imagery. There are several scenes that will get anyone in hysterics, such as a crudely animated “history” of the United States. Other scenes, such as a montage of the U.S.’s actual “war record” from the past century set to “What a Wonderful World,” are nothing less than shocking. The director does take a few detours in his line of thinking, including a criticism of the work-for-welfare program, but he still does not lose sight of the overall picture. His arguments are not always airtight, but they are always valid for discussion.

Gun control is perhaps one of the hottest topics in America today. The best thing about “Bowling for Columbine” is that it will inspire anyone to discuss it, whether they are pro or anti-gun control, or even whether they liked the film or not. This timely and powerful movie is a must-see that will probe deeply into everyone’s minds for a long time to come.