Invitational Speech Outline
Name: Cameron Stegall
Date: August 3, 2014
Topic: Gun Control
Purpose: To invite
Specific purpose: To invite a class discussion about Gun Control
Thesis: Few topics are as polarizing as gun control, with advocates citing reduced crime and opponents reduced freedoms.
Introduction:
I. Attention: What is more important to you, security or freedom? When you talk about gun control, this seems to be the two sides of the topic. Most people out there want to be assured that no more gun violence can take place, but what are the costs?
II. Reveal topic: Everyone in this class could be in a situation where gun violence might take place. As a country are we better off to outlaw most firearms or encourage their accumulation by citizens?
III. Credibility: There are some very clear studies and statistics that show no positive connection between increased gun ownership and increased crime rates. Some very reputable sources include the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, The U.S. Department of Justice, California Department of Justice, and The Cato Institute.
IV. Preview: Gun Control is a topic that is loudly championed every time there is a senseless killing in which guns are used and many politicians and media are quick to point out that stricter gun laws equal less gun crimes. But is that really the case, and does the proliferation of gun ownership by law-abiding citizens decrease crime? First, we will look at a global perspective of gun ownership levels compared to crime rates in an attempt to find a correlation. We will also look at statistics in the U.S. in relation to gun crimes and ownership. And finally, we will the possible impact of stricter gun laws on crime in the U.S.
Body:
I. The strongest argument for gun control seems to be that the countries with the most guns (U.S.) have the highest crime rates.
A. In fact, since even before the 1960’s and into the present, Russia has had very stringent gun control policy with very few civilians owning guns and still had a much higher rate of murder than the U.S.
B. According to the Cato Institute, Israel and Switzerland have very high rates of gun ownership and relatively low homicide rates.
Transition- Now we will look at the statistics concerning gun crimes and ownership in the U.S.
II. Most gun control advocates suggest that increased access to guns by law-abiding citizens will increase crime.
A. As you can see, gun ownership has increased, but figures from the U.S. Department of Justice show a drastic decrease in firearm-related crimes.
B. Although, it seems to be a common claim by the gun control crowd that thousands of children die annually by gun accidents, we know in reality more children die each year in accidents involving bikes, space heaters, or drownings.
Transition- There is another potential solution to the problem.
III. Maybe as a country we need stricter gun laws to solve the problem.
A. Unfortunately, a quick look at California’s gun law history and crime rates may give us some insight. Even in the face of increased gun laws, California’s murder rates continued to climb.
B. In committing the murders at Columbine High School, the two perpetrators violated more than 20 firearm laws.
Transition- This is just a glimpse of the information that is available on the topic and it seems dubious that making less guns or making them harder to get will decrease crime rates.
Conclusion:
I. We have heard about the correlation of gun ownership to crime rates, the availability of firearms compared to accidents involving guns, as well as the impact of stricter gun laws.
II. I hope that some of this information was of interest to you and I would appreciate any feedback or thoughts about the topic.
References:
Godwin, John. Murder USA, The Ways We Kill Each Other. N.p.: Ballentine, 1978. Print.
Kates, Don B., and Gary Mauser. "Would Banning Firearms Reduce Murder and Suicide?" Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy 30.2 (2007): 649-694. Web. 17 July 2014.
Lampo, David. "Gun Control: Myths and Realities." Cato Institute, 13 May 2000. Web. 17 July 2014.
Rogers, Simon. "There's No Real Way To Tell How Many Guns Are Sold In America Each Year." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 18 Dec. 2012. Web. 17 July 2014.