Examining Gun Safety Portrayals in the Media with Matt Nix
Red, Blue, and Brady
English - June 30, 2023 22:00 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MB - ★★★★★ - 32 ratingsCourses Education News Politics gun violence brady gun control politics news shootings mass shooting gun violence take action Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Why does a renowned writer and director like Matt Nex care about reshaping the portrayal of firearms in the media? That's what we explore as I sit down with Matt to discuss his involvement in the Show Your Safety campaign from the Brady organization. We delve into his creative journey, from his work on the hit show Burn Notice to his current efforts to promote responsible gun ownership on-screen.
Together, we put the spotlight on how media can effectively demonstrate that responsible firearm enthusiasts are indeed cool people who use gun safes and trigger locks appropriately. We chew over the idea that portraying characters who lack firearms knowledge not only adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative but can also encourage viewers to rethink their gun storage practices. But the conversation isn’t just about guns. We also draw parallels between responsible gun ownership and owning a bow and arrow, highlighting the shared requirements of skill, commitment, and respect for these powerful tools.
In the final segment, Matt and I contemplate the Show Your Safety campaign's potential to influence a broad spectrum of shows and spark a 'thousand flowers to bloom'. We explore the idea of embodying responsible gun ownership in an anti-hero show without preaching about it, and discuss the importance of the approach being bespoke to the universe of the show. This engaging conversation with Matt Nex is a thoughtful reflection on the power of media to influence societal perspectives on gun ownership. We hope it inspires creators and viewers alike to think critically about the portrayals they see and create.
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Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.
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Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
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