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Lexi Wright

3 November 2019

ENG-111-402

Gun Control: One’s Response to Dogs Rather Than Guns

Molly Ivin argues in her essay, ​Get a Knife, Get a Dog, but Get Rid of Guns​, that it is

essential for the American government to initiate more gun-control. Ivins’ article regarding the

need for gun control in the U.S. was intended to persuade the reader of America’s desperate call

for change. Ivin’s use of rhetoric in her writing is beneficial to her argument. She uses

rhetorical devices in strategies that are successful in persuading her audience to support more

gun-control. ​Molly Ivin effectively convinces her readers of the quality of proper

gun-control by pointing out the obvious benefits.

Ivin begins by using the rhetorical device logos. She quotes the Second Amendment in

her argument. Molly believes that a “well-regulated militia” is different than what America has

adapted the gun law to contain. She says the following in her article: “Fourteen-year-old boys

are not part of a well-regulated militia. Members of wacky religious cults are not part of a

well-regulated militia. Permitting unregulated citizens to have guns is destroying the security of

this free state.” This is a great example of logos because it is using an official document to draw

conclusions. Ivin’s stance is advanced by her inclusion of the Second Amendment, and the

readers are convinced of the benefits of gun-control.

Building off of the idea of a “well-regulated militia,” Ivin strengthens her argument by

utilizing the rhetorical device of pathos. Molly appeals to emotion often in this piece. Her

passion on this subject is apparent in her tone. She appeals to the value of being reasonable and
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rational. Ivin’s passion is shown through her word choice that it is OBVIOUS that gun control is

needed. She writes, “The argument that "guns don't kill people" is patent nonsense,” and “a gun

is literally the power to kill.” These statements strengthen her argument because they convey the

longing people have for gun-control, and it convinces the readers that it must be important.

Concluding her argument, Ivin reverts back to her original claim that she is a “civil

libertarian” and that “of course [she] supports the Second Amendment.” This statement appeals

to the rhetorical device of ethos. Molly is accrediting herself by stating she supports the Second

Amendment. This allows her to be on both sides of the political spectrum. She supports

gun-control, yet she supports the Second Amendment. Another example of Ivin’s credibility is

in the statement “letting the noisy minority in the National Rifle Association force us to allow

this carnage to continue is just plain insane.” Ivin says the NRA is the minority. By not

supporting the NRA, Molly believes she is in the majority of people. She thinks the majority of

people support gun-control. This belief is supportive to her claim that gun-control will benefit

the U.S. Molly Ivins is considered a credible source because she graduated from the Columbia

University Graduate School of Journalism. This attests to her reliability when it comes to

writing on this topic.

Molly uses a lot of heavy language in her writing. The strength of her connotations

persuade the reader to agree with her. Ivin’s language when writing about guns in today’s

policies holds a negative connotation. She used words like “destroying,” “nonsense”, and

“murder.” She uses positive terms when writing about gun-control. For example, she uses

words like “promote” and “merits” when writing about knives. Molly was wise to include this

writing tool within her argument because it strengthened her point of view.
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By effectively utilizing the rhetorical devices of logos, pathos, and ethos, Molly Ivin is

able to persuade her audience that America needs more gun-control. Ivin uses her knowledge to

focus her writing around the appeal of ethos, providing multiple examples of why gun-control is

obviously a necessity. Through her examples, she is able to convince each reader that America

is missing its need for gun-control… and dogs.

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Works Cited

Ivins, Molly. Get a Knife, Get a Dog, but Get Rid of Guns.

https://clev.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-1667365-dt-content-rid-9141103_1/courses/

50303/46330_ImportedContent_20180821030404/MollyIvins_GetaKnife.html

“Molly Ivins.” Molly Ivins | Americans Who Tell The Truth,

https://www.americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/molly-ivins