Under the Gun

This decidedly pro-gun control documentary offers an in-depth, emotionally charged look at the very complex issue of gun violence. It uses the tragic stories of some of the country's most notorious assassinations and mass shootings as a platform to examine (and, from its perspective, ideally dispel) concerns about gun legislation, especially background checks for gun purchasers. It also seeks to drive home the research and statistics that the filmmakers posit support the need for these rules. While government agencies' apparent inability to enforce these policies is addressed, it's the political power of the NRA -- and its efforts to pressure Congress to eliminate any and all restrictions on gun acquisition and ownership -- that's a central theme throughout most of the film's conversations.

In an attempt to move away from the polarizing, never-ending conversations about 2nd Amendment rights, the film calls for a willingness to take a harder look at the reasons why people engage in violent gun behavior, while moving away from conversations about crime and the stigmatization of some communities. But it's the stories of those who've lost loved ones, and some of the chilling footage shown from these and subsequent events, that are the most powerful. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, there's no doubt that Under the Gun will leave you feeling sad, and possibly very angry.