In today’s political climate, there are few topics as divisive as gun control. While each side has its own hashtags, #2A is used by both sides when weighing in the Second Amendment. While the arguments made using #2A are opposing, both sides use similar tactics when making their argument.
Many users tweeting about #2A try to boost the effectiveness of their arguments by establishing themselves as experts. In the tweets below, we see how both individuals and organizations attempt to portray themselves as experts on aspects of gun control.
Pro #2A conservatives have accurately pointed out to me that doctors are not experts on firearms.
But do you wanna know what doctors are experts in? We’re experts in identifying public health crises and using evidence based solutions to save lives.
— Barry Schapiro MD (@bschapiroMD) November 23, 2018
#America's longest-standing civil rights organization turned 147 today. That is 147 years of defending #2A and freedom alongside millions of patriots. We will never stop fighting to protect our right to self-defense. Here's to another 147 years. #NRA #HappyBirthdayNRA pic.twitter.com/01PQ5MKBsK
— NRA (@NRA) November 17, 2018
A good portion of the #2A tweets were replies to other users tweeting opposing views on gun control. Often these replies are unprovoked, and the users insert the hashtag to increase engagement within their communities.
How about we outlaw murder? If you studied instead of trying to insert what might seem like a popular opinion, you would know that 97% of mass shootings take place in gun free zones. #2A #constitution
— Matt Armstrong (@republicdfender) November 23, 2018
Joe, I know details are difficult for you to remember things, but ppl seeking refugee status are granted #DueProcess by the #USConstitution.
If #2A is unquestioned for you, why not the rest?#checkyourself
— JuanLove (@ibejac) November 27, 2018
It was surprising to find that #2A tweeters often use race to make their arguments. The tweets below show how both sides use race to argue for their cause, though neither tweet cites sources or statistics.
The good guy with a gun trope is a racist myth. I'll sit back and wait for the @NRA and #2a folks to defend this fine man the same way they did #PhilandoCastile and #TamirRice https://t.co/YgHYatW2bG
— not radical enough (@Music4Society) November 25, 2018
Reminder: #guncontrol is racist #2A
— Our Second Right (@oursecondright) November 25, 2018
These tweets show that while pro- and anti-gun control advocates certainly disagree, they use the same tactics to make their arguments. It makes one wonder what else they have in common.