Issue No. 28 – Control

What is the nature of control? The desire for it—and to be free of it—are essential parts of both life and art.

Justice for Sandy Hook

Justice for Sandy Hook

Photo by Specna Arms by Pexels.

Photo by Specna Arms by Pexels.

By Ashley Yu

It has been 9 years since the massacre at Sandy Hook that revolutionised the public perception of American gun control laws. The meaningless deaths of 20 school children, all below the age of 8, as well as 6 adult staff members who sacrificed their lives to protect the children, remain the deadliest school shooting in history. Yet many choose to ignore the spilt blood in favour of defending the dusty Second Amendment with a-near religious fervour. As of March 14 2019, the Connecticut Supreme Court has decided that gun-manufacturer Remington can be sued by the families of Sandy Hook victims, regarding their marketing methods of the rifle used in the massacre.

This monumental ruling can finally bring justice—at least, somewhat—to the victims of mass shootings in future court cases to circumvent the federal law that has long protected gun-manufacturers from any liability when their products are used in crimes. The problem is that the lovers of the Second Amendment speak about this legislation on gun control, as if the victims were talking about suing tobacco companies for causing lung disease. How can the cruel deaths of innocents be spoken of so lightly? How can it even be remotely compared?

This case in Connecticut becomes even more noteworthy, in light of Instagram influencers posing near naked or in MET-Gala worthy dresses with AK-47s and pistols. It is even more disturbing that many of them are defending themselves under the guise of “gender equality” and “female empowerment.” When we talk about female empowerment, we are talking about equal pay and defense against sexual harassment, not about the right to sexily promote the new range of rifles that encourage men and young boys to engage in violence because of a pretty girl. Unlike the many ads for beer and cars using sex appeal, we are talking about your son, you sister, your best friend—human lives. And it is high-time that gun manufacturers take responsibility for their marketing ploys without ever considering the reality of glorifying violence.

If you want to own a rifle for self-defense or hunting or whatnot, then go ahead. If you’re a responsible firearms owner, then you should be immune to such laws in the first place.

Sandy Hook Victims. Courtesy of theTruthAboutGuns.com

Sandy Hook Victims. Courtesy of theTruthAboutGuns.com

This N' That: Keep In The Know With Photography News

This N' That: Keep In The Know With Photography News

Thinking Aloud: Interview with Mary Reid and Patrick Kelly

Thinking Aloud: Interview with Mary Reid and Patrick Kelly