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Sarah Craig
Dr. Schoeter
English 1010
October 25,2014
Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay
The image is a political cartoon designed by Kevin Siers in 2012 for the Charlotte
Observer when stricter gun control laws were proposed and were being debated. The image is a
revolver in which the barrel has been curved backwards pointed in the direction of the shooter.
Following along the curve of the barrel the words We need more guns to protect us from rising
gun violence are written. This design is used to point out flawed logic and makes fun of those
who are against the gun control laws and believe that more guns are the solution to protecting us
from rising violence.
The image was designed based on the more recent rise in gun violence and the
proposition of stricter gun control. According to the Washington Post, there is about 31,672
deaths every year involving guns which is about 308 shootings and about 86 deaths a day. The
Washington Post also states that killings involving guns are 7 times higher than France,
Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and about 6 other modern countries. In 2011
according to the FBI, 68% of murders, 41% of robberies, and 21% of aggravated assaults
involved guns nationwide.
The image is very calm and spare. It is a single dominant image with simple block
lettering. The colors are kept muted but still create contrast with each other. The background is a
pale green that fades to white in the center of the page. The gun is drawn right in the center with
a dark brown and black with white block lettering going along the barrel. This causes the gun to

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pop off the page and the text to stand out against the gun, making it easier to read. This image is
a contemporary way of expressing an opinion on those against gun control. When viewing the
image, a viewer would see the curved barrel and associate it with someone shooting at
themselves. The text supports this conclusion by stating that more guns are the answer to
stopping gun violence (fighting fire with fire in a sense).
Siers uses logos and pathos to appeal to the viewer. The statement and the curve of the
barrel begs the question of how more guns would create greater protection against gun violence.
Logically, one might conclude the solution to rising gun violence is to make it harder for certain
people to obtain a gun, supporting the stricter gun control laws. Those who strongly believe in
the use of guns for protection, however, might support the statement by stating that the best
protection against a gun would just be another gun (Bringing a knife to a gunfight comes to
mind). The logic used to process the image depends on the belief of the viewer on stricter gun
control laws and how they feel about the use of guns to reduce violence.
The intended audience of this cartoon is adults who are involved or informed in politics
and the debates surrounding gun control laws. Siers is reaching for those who support gun
control laws and showing them flawed logic of the opposing side while making fun of them at
the same time. He is appealing to their beliefs to reinforce it as well as possibly convince others
which way to belief. Those who believe more guns are the answer, however, would take offense
to this cartoon and the message behind it.
The design is very effective at getting the point of the flawed logic across and causing a
reaction from the viewer. The image could be used to convince a viewer one way to believe
while it would offend someone who strongly believes in the use of more guns as protection. We
need more guns to protect us from rising gun violence. The designer presented a combination of

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a text and image in a very powerful and interesting way. The curved barrel grabs a viewers
attention immediately and reinforces the idea presented through the text. Siers uses logic and
emotion to challenge the viewer to think about the idea presented in a different way through the
text. Credibility doesnt play any role in this image. Siers isnt relying on someone being able to
recognize a corporate name or trademark. His objective was to point out flawed logic without
naming sides or names, leaving any issue of credibility out of the question.

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Work Cited

Cooper, Alexia, and Erica Smith. "Gun Violence." National Institute of Justice. Bureau of
Justice Statistics, Jan. 2013. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.

Cornell, Dewey G. "Gun Violence and Mass Shootings Myths, Facts and Solutions."
Washington Post. The Washington Post, 11 June 2014. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.

Siers, Kevin. Gun Violence Solution. Digital image. Charlotte Observer. N.p., 2012.
Web. 25 Oct. 2014.