There may be some hope for political unity between liberals and conservatives. In this day and age, it seems that more than ever, America is divided. It feels like a constant tug-o-war and with every article and counter-article, both sides only seem to dig their heels in a little deeper. Each blog or video causes this very un-fun game to grind to a halt, with neither side at a clear advantage – everyone is angry at everyone else.
However, this isn’t always the case. With all of the talk about school shootings and gun violence in recent times, I began noticing something extraordinary. The rhetoric of those arguing against gun-control rang strangely familiar in my ears. It reminded me of the arguments people use when supporting abortion. It appears that conservatives and liberals share the same basic rhetoric in advocating for the ability to own gun and the ability to have an abortion. Another view is that the arguments against banning guns are eerily similar to those against banning abortion.
I feel that most people understand the basic arguments for and against these issues very well. I will simply provide a summary of the three basic points of the Pro-Gun and Pro-choice arguments. For clarification, by “Pro-gun” I am not implying “Pro-gun violence.”
Arguments against Gun control (Pro-Gun)
- The first major Pro-Gun argument against gun control is that it is a right to bear arms. It’s very clearly laid out in the second amendment.
- Another Pro-gun argument makes the point that banning guns won’t really solve the problem. This is because those who do want to own guns will just find another way. Even if we banned every gun in America, there would the next day be a black market for them, which would endanger the public even more.
- A final Pro-Gun argument (although there are many more) is that guns allow self-preservation and provide security. In a life and death situation, guns allow the opportunity to neutralize the threat to your well-being. While it may come at a cost of another life, your life or the life of your family members is more important.
Arguments for Abortion (Pro-Choice)
- The first major Pro-choice argument against banning abortion is that the woman has the right over her body. It’s also a fundamental right that was declared by the Supreme court.
- Another Pro-choice argument makes the point that banning abortion won’t really solve the problem. This is because those who do want to have an abortion will just find another way. Even if we banned abortion in America, there would the next day be black market or back-alley operations, which would endanger the public even more.
- A final Pro-Choice argument (although there are many more) is that abortion allows self-preservation and provides security. In the event of an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, abortion allows the opportunity to neutralize the threat to your well-being. While it may come at a cost of another life, your life or the life of your family members is more important.
Moving beyond just the arguments to the people that support one but not the other, one will find that both have exceptions. The “pro-choice-but-anti-gun” person understandably will allow some people to have guns—FBI, Secret Service, Military, and the police force. Similarly, the “pro-gun-but-anti-choice” person understandably will allow some people to have an abortion—when the pregnancy will undoubtedly kill both child and mother.
If you notice, both Pro-Gun and Pro-Choice advocates use almost identical rhetoric to advance their cause. Each argument is centered around 3 basic points. First, the ability to own a gun or have an abortion is a government-given right, and thus the government should not be able to take it away. Second, trying to restrict guns or abortion will not solve the underlying issue. Attempting to do so will only cause more damage to society. And Third, guns or abortion are actually beneficial for society.
Be Consistent or Give it Up
I understand that both issues are extremely complex, nuanced and have a number of differences–this comparison is very simplistic. But, that doesn’t mean its incorrect. If the basic points of the rhetoric are too similar for comfort, that may be indicative of a deeper similarity between the two positions. On the surface level, one cannot reasonably hold to these distinctions of being both for one position and against the other while maintaining the current rhetoric. For obvious reasons, you cannot deny the arguments of one side, but then use the same arguments to support yours. A more logical option is to be consistent and hold to being both Pro-Gun and Pro-Choice—to be for abortions and for guns. If that is unthinkable to you then you have one option: Give it up. Give up your government-issued-right to own guns. Give up your government-issued-right to an abortion. Excluding some scenarios, imagine if both sides gave up their rights. Imagine if a bi-partisan bill was passed that simultaneously overturned Roe V Wade and the 2nd Amendment. This would be one of the greatest and truly pro-life moves in history, but would you be willing to make that deal?
We are unified in this for the wrong reasons. We have championed our own right to life over the lives of others, and this is intolerable. The blood is in the streets and the blood is on our hands. If we keep arguing this way and for same things, there will only be more innocent blood spilled. Let’s end this.
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