Hillary Clinton's Criticism on Sen. Sanders' Gun Policy

Introduction

During the first Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday, Hillary Clinton criticized Senator Bernie Sanders for his stance on guns, claiming that he was "not at all" tough on the issue. The debate's moderator, Anderson Cooper, questioned Clinton about whether the Vermont senator was sufficiently tough on guns. Clinton responded with a firm "No, not at all," marking her strong stance on one of the few issues where she is perceived to be more progressive than Sanders.

Clinton's Criticism

Clinton highlighted Sanders' voting record, noting that he voted five times against the Brady Bill and supported the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which she argued offered legal immunity to the gun industry. "He also did vote, as he said, for this immunity provision. I voted against it," Clinton stated. "I was in the Senate at the same time. It wasn't that complicated to me. It was pretty straightforward to me that he was going to give immunity to the only industry in America" (Clinton, 2015).

Sanders' Defense

In response, Sanders defended his legislative record by emphasizing the need to build bipartisan consensus, noting that he represents a rural state. "What I can tell Secretary Clinton, that all the shouting in the world is not going to do what I would hope all of us want," he replied. Sanders explained that while he had voted against the Brady Bill and supported a bill protecting gun manufacturers from lawsuits, he did not believe gun manufacturers should be entirely free from liability.

When pressed by Cooper on whether gun manufacturers should be exempt from liability, Sanders replied, "Of course not. Do I think that a gun shop in the state of Vermont that sells legally a gun to somebody, and that somebody goes out and does something crazy, that that gun shop owner should be held responsible? I don't" (Sanders, 2015). He added, "On the other hand, where you have manufacturers and gun shops knowingly giving guns to criminals or aiding and abetting that, of course, we should take action."

Analysis of Sanders' Argument

Sanders' argument employs the logical fallacy known as Straw Man, which involves misrepresenting an opponent's position. Instead of addressing the potential dangers of gun accessibility, Sanders focuses on the notion that gun sellers are fully aware when selling to criminals, a claim lacking substantial evidence. This approach allows Sanders to present himself as the sole candidate capable of improving the nation's gun policies, though it may appear uninformed to those familiar with gun sale regulations and data.

Conclusion

While Sanders' strategy of using logical fallacies might resonate with some audiences, it risks alienating those with a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding gun legislation. The debate between Clinton and Sanders highlights the broader national conversation on gun control, illustrating the challenges candidates face in balancing public safety with constitutional rights (Cooper, 2015).

References

• Clinton, H. (2015). Democratic Presidential Debate, CNN. Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas.
• Sanders, B. (2015). Democratic Presidential Debate, CNN. Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas.
• Cooper, A. (2015). Democratic Presidential Debate, CNN. Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas.