2008 Woodie Awards
Progressive Gun Control: Tushnet v. Cornell
Brianna McDonald
Issue date: 11/9/06 Section: News
Both scholars agreed that the actual impact of any realistically achievable gun control policy would not have the sweeping effect on reducing gun violence that most would be hoping for. However, while Tushnet saw this as one reason to not waste effort on the issue, Cornell maintained that reframing expectations about the impact of gun control policy could be part of developing a credible, progressive argument in favor of regulations.
In addressing the question of whether it is possible for progressives to develop credibility on the gun control issue and how the culture wars might be influencing the debate, Tushnet advanced the theory that forms the thesis of his upcoming book on the topic.
"The gun control issue is as difficult as it is because it has become a location for the culture war battles," Tushnet said. "We need a politician who can detach issues from the larger culture war issues, like [Bill] Clinton did with welfare reform…but gun control might not be the most important [issue] to detach right now."
While Tushnet remained unconvinced about whether putting together a viable, credible progressive stance on gun control was worth the time and effort, Cornell held fast to his view that the left should not stay silent on the issue.
"We can't say nothing, and we can't say, 'Yeah, we love the 2nd Amendment,'" said Cornell. "But we have to come up with something to say about it...we need to defend the vision of a well-regulated society, with checks and balances, and show people that government is not inherently evil."
In addressing the question of whether it is possible for progressives to develop credibility on the gun control issue and how the culture wars might be influencing the debate, Tushnet advanced the theory that forms the thesis of his upcoming book on the topic.
"The gun control issue is as difficult as it is because it has become a location for the culture war battles," Tushnet said. "We need a politician who can detach issues from the larger culture war issues, like [Bill] Clinton did with welfare reform…but gun control might not be the most important [issue] to detach right now."
While Tushnet remained unconvinced about whether putting together a viable, credible progressive stance on gun control was worth the time and effort, Cornell held fast to his view that the left should not stay silent on the issue.
"We can't say nothing, and we can't say, 'Yeah, we love the 2nd Amendment,'" said Cornell. "But we have to come up with something to say about it...we need to defend the vision of a well-regulated society, with checks and balances, and show people that government is not inherently evil."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 22
Geoff Palmer
posted 11/09/06 @ 4:06 PM EST
Progressives ignore the issue because when they try to tamper with the constitution, they get caught and kicked out of office. As one would expect, Cornell quotes only negative firearm statistics but conveniently fails to mention the millions of legitimate uses where firearms are used to save lives and protect innocents. (Continued…)
Hugh Jardohn
posted 11/09/06 @ 5:13 PM EST
I don;t know much about "cultural resonance" or "detaching issues" but one thing jumps out the piece for me. Mr. Cornell is quoted as saying; "There is a way of making gun control an issue that is not poison to the left," Cornell stated. (Continued…)
James Mullen
posted 11/09/06 @ 5:58 PM EST
The article stated:
"...approximately 30,000 Americans die each year as a result of gun violence..."
That is not true at all! There are approximatley 30,000 deaths involving firearms, but they are not all the result of violence. (Continued…)
Patrick Calabro
posted 11/09/06 @ 7:25 PM EST
"progressive argument in favor of regulations"
Progressives & Regulations...they go hand in hand.
Roy Hill
posted 11/10/06 @ 8:46 AM EST
I love it.
First, let's hide liberal anti-gun bigots behind the term "progressive."
Second, let's set up a "debate" between a pair of these "progressives," both of whom fundamentally agree on the bedrock issues, with the only "debate" being is gun control actually worth all the time and effort. (Continued…)
Bill
posted 11/10/06 @ 1:21 PM EST
Cornell has obviously spent too much time in his ivory tower. Government not evil? What do you call 160 million dead at the hands of governments in the 20th century? BTW, this figure does not include war dead. (Continued…)
David Smith
posted 11/10/06 @ 4:05 PM EST
Translation--Is there any way we can trick those hicks outta their guns ?
Kevin P.
posted 11/10/06 @ 5:48 PM EST
Yes, it looks like the American Constitution Society set up a sham debate between two people who agree on the goal of gun control without agreeing on the means. (Continued…)
Gene
posted 11/10/06 @ 6:41 PM EST
Gun control is as ineffectual at controlling crime as using one bucket of sand to control a flood. Until the root causes of crime, criminals, are controlled there will be no reduction. (Continued…)
Liberal Republican from Oregon
posted 11/10/06 @ 11:01 PM EST
The quote, "Both scholars agreed that the actual impact of any realistically achievable gun control policy would not have the sweeping effect on reducing gun violence. (Continued…)
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