Persuasive Speech: America Needs a Uniform National Gun Policy

Topic: Gun Policy

Specific Purpose: to persuade my audience that a uniform national gun policy is necessary.

Thematic statement/ central ideas: A uniform national gun policy is necessary because the gun policies vary from state to state, the lack of a policy allows innocent death, and costs the public money.

INTRODUCTION:

ATTENTION GAINING DEVICE: Let me tell you a short story. At 11:10 AM, on Tuesday, April 20th, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold arrived in the parking lot a few minutes before lunch “A” began. They proceeded to the top of the west entrance steps, the highest point on campus each carrying a 20 lb. duffle bag. Armed with two sawed-off shotguns, a 9mm semi-automatic carbine rifle, and a 9mm Tec-9 semi-automatic pistol, in just 18 minutes they murdered 13 innocent people and injured 24 more. The story I speak of is the Columbine Tragedy.

INTRODUCTION TO TOPIC: A tragedy that would have been prevented if the US had a uniform national gun policy.

CREDIBILITY: I personally have worked in a gunsmith shop where firearms are sold. I have also studied the effect firearms have on people. I have clearly decided with the data collected for this presentation, a uniform national gun policy needs to be administered.

PREVIEW: There are three reasons. First, gun policy varies from state to state. Second, the lack of a policy allows for innocent people to die. Thirdly, it costs the public money.

TRANSITION: Now let me offer some reasons for my claim.

BODY:

1. Gun policies vary from state to state.

A. According to the Brady Foundation, one of the leading campaigns to end gun violence. 36% of the nation, 18 of 50 states, impose a waiting period.. (prevent crimes of passion, no background check, not able to check if buyer is prohibited or not to purchase.)
B. 28%, 14 of 50 states require some type of license and registration to own a firearm. (aide the police in tracking criminals and solving cases.)
C. Even fewer are the states that require safety training, 14%, that’s 7 states. (show knowledge of gun laws and proper handling and storage)

2. The lack of a uniform gun policy allows for innocent people to die.

A. Johns Hopkins University, a world renowned research center, found that nearly 3% of firearm fatalities in 2001 were unintentional, claiming the lives of 802 people and disproportionately affecting males. (over two people per day, class this size is gone in 15 days)