Gun control
Comparing 1968 and 2022
By: Rashon Walker
Introduction
The reporting of gun control in 1968 was more general and did not provide a
lot of details about laws as compared to the reporting about gun control
today in 2022.
In 2022 the reporting of gun control laws focus on the laws and on the
politics behind the decisions. Less reporting on the victims unless there is a
mass shooting. The news reporting of mass shootings gets more media
attention.
Introduction continued
I selected this topic because I wanted to get a better understanding of gun
control now and in the past. In 2022 we have a lot of “black lives matter “
protests. They seem to be similar to the protests in the 60’s.
While speaking with older family members, it makes me wonder how
much things have changed.
What happened in the US in 1968
During the year of 1968 it was a difficult time for the USA.
Martin Luther King Jr. a prominent leader of the civil rights movement was
shot and killed in April. Senator Robert F Kennedy was later killed in June.
There were many riots in Washington, D.C. People protested the war in
Vietnam and race relationships were not good and many other social
injustices were questioned as people protested in the streets of major
cities.
What is happening in the US in 2022
There are many things going on in the USA in 2022.
The midterm elections are big. Democrats want more gun control while republicans want less gun
control. Republicans oppose law restricting semi-automatic weapons and the 2nd amendment. While
democrats support the weapon ban and increase in background check. Whoever controls Congress can
push their issues forward.
This year has seen over hundreds of mass shootings. The most deadliest shooting in the country was in
Uvalde, Texas, on May 24. Nineteen children and two teachers were killed at an elementary school.
Another mass shooting occurred ten days afterwards in Buffalo New York where ten people lost their
lives.
Black lives matter is a political and social movement that has gained a lot of interest across the country.
Members want to highlight racism and distcrimination. Its primary concern are to stop incidents of
police brutality and racially motivated violence against black people.
Climate change and abortion and are also major issues in our country today.
How Gun Control was Reported in 1968
In 1968 they used words such as horrifying, brutal in regard to the killing of Martin Luther King and
Robert F Kennedy. The accused were immediately called assassins. Describing the killings they had
called them senseless killing that haunts the country.
Before senator Robert F Kennedy was murdered in Oregon he gave a speech in 1968. In his speech you
can tell the utter disgust when talking about gun control.
Robert F Kennedy: “At the present moment, a person who is insane, a man with a long
criminal record of having killed a dozen people, can go in and buy a rifle," he said.
Robert F Kennedy also stated that there was an inmate that bought a mail ordered firearm while
on death row. His reaction was unsettling to the news.
“Robert F Kennedy: “Does that make any sense that you should put rifles and guns in the
hands of people who have long criminal records or people who are insane or people who are mentally
incompetent or people who are so young that they don't know how to handle rifles or guns?" Kennedy
said.
How Gun Control was Reported in 1968
“Robert F Kennedy: “Does that make any sense that you should put rifles and guns in the hands of
people who have long criminal records or people who are insane or people who are mentally
incompetent or people who are so young that they don't know how to handle rifles or guns?" Kennedy
said.
Robert Kennedy received a lot of press coverage because of his status. The media covered his death,
but less coverage was done on the actual gun control bill he wanted.
How Gun Control is Reported in 2022
In 2022 the details around gun control are more specific in the media than in the past.
For example, on March 25th Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed into law a bill that bans
firearms from hospital buildings and prohibits the transfer of firearms between unlicensed
people.
The governor vetoed a similar bill in February . The Charleston Loophole was a bill that would
allow gun purchases to move forward by default after 3 days, even if a background check has
not been completed.
How Gun Control is Reported in 2022
There are many examples of the media continuing to report details around gun control laws.
Another example, in June the New York governor, Kathy Hochul signed a gun safety package on June
6th which includes bills that require microstamping on handguns. This strengthens the states position
and federal agencies ability to convict criminals when guns are used in crimes. This also does expand
eligibility requirements in the concealed carry permitting process restrict the carrying of concealed
weapons in sensitive locations. State oversight over background for guns and regular checks on license
holders for criminal convictions.
On June 23, 2022 the supreme court tried to overturn New York gun law. New York gun law has been
active for more than a century. This law restricts carrying a concealed handgun outside the home but
instead the governor decided to bolster restriction on concealed carry weapons. This was her way of
combating gun violence in New York City. As she believed that removing a century old limitation was
reckless and putting the safety of residents in danger.
City Comparison of Gun Control Reporting
During the year of 1968 the reporting was not specific to any city. The
media reported the shootings and focused on the high profile individuals.
In 2022, the media covered the incidents based on location and the size of
the mass shootings. There have been over 600 mass shootings this year so
far. The media only focused on the largest shootings like the one in Texas
since it involved children. The coverage focused on the victims and their
families.
There was a lot of media coverage of the LGBTQ night club in Colorado.
The focus of the coverage was on the victims.
Conclusion
There is a difference between the reporting of gun control laws in 1968 and 2022.
In 1968 the news reporting focused on the high profile victims and less about the
gun control laws. Even when Robert Kennedy was promoting stricter laws, the
media did not provide a lot of details.
In 2022, there is more detailed reporting of the gun control laws. The media
provides specifics about the various bills that each party wants. With over 600
mass shootings, the media does not report on all of these incidents. The only
coverage of victims is when there are a lot or if something is different about the
victims.
The same issues are occurring but with little resolution.