Hillary Clinton on Gun Politics

In her article, journalist Sasha Issenberg of “The Boston Globe” reports on Hillary Clinton’s recently announced goal of cutting the homicide rate of Philadelphia in half. A major city unfortunately plagued with high levels of crime and murder, both Democratic Presidential contenders realize the complicated politics of gun control in Pennsylvania and close-by Appalachian states (Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia) voting shortly. Though Issenberg thoroughly discusses the aspiring politician’s mission of decreasing murder in Philadelphia if elected, the author quickly notes how Clinton fails to address the one thing that local officials see as a consensus solution: new gun restrictions. Evident through the title of the piece – “Clinton circumvents gun issue in plan to cut city homicide rates” – the writer effectively demonstrates how Hillary indeed “skirts” the fact that the city may rightfully authorize new gun laws. Without favor to any of the Presidential candidates, Issenberg presents the veritable details of Clinton’s ideas to solving the problem. Furthermore, the journalist also renders the reader with background information concerning the former First Lady’s involvement with the legal issue. Although no information concerning McCain or Obama’s stances is revealed, the article is nevertheless informative and insightful.
Philadelphia’s rising homicide rate (292 killings last year, the highest in a decade) should most definitely concern political figures and legislators in the area and elsewhere across the country. If Hillary Clinton is to in fact fulfill her stated mission if elected President – to cut the United State’s big-city homicide rate in half – she must provide the population with a concrete, viable plan. Defining the problem with regards to “meth in rural communities, online crimes in the suburbs, and white-collar crimes on Wall Street,” she expresses a cautious and circumventing attitude towards the subject. Clinton does not seem to acknowledge the direct correlation between the proposed gun restrictions and the foreseen consequences of that enactment – decreased crime and homicides. Hence, it’s no wonder why a Pennsylvania Democratic consultant commented, “I don’t know how you talk about homicide in Philadelphia without talking about guns.” Even if Clinton maintains a strong alliance with rural white voters – in a state where hunting plays a significant part of its culture – the Presidential candidate must be upfront and honest with the American people when dealing with gun politics.