Identify the fallacies committed in the following dialogue. You should be able to find at least one case of each fallacy presented in this section and one case of a fallacy presented in the previous section.
Gun Love
Holly and her friend Ben have just attended a panel discussion in response to a recent shooting on a college campus. As they leave the auditorium and head for the parking lot, Holly asks, "Do you agree with any of the panelists?"
"I agree with the panelist who said that guns should be banned on every campus," Ben replies. "And I would even go a step further and say that we need strict gun control throughout the U.S. The simple fact is that guns are way too available in this country."
"Sounds like you're saying that the availability of guns leads to violent crime," Holly says.
"Is that what you're saying?"
"Yes, I do think guns lead to crime," Ben replies.
"Well, let me ask you this," Holly says. "Has anybody ever proved that? Has anybody ever proved that the mere availability of guns leads to violent crime? The answer is no. So until somebody proves that it does, we should conclude that gun availability does not lead to violence."
"Well, you heard what one of the panelists said about England, didn't you?" Ben asks.
"England has strict limitations on gun possession, and practically no gun-related crime. I think that proves that guns do cause crime. If the U.S. would adopt the English law, crime in this country would drop like a rock."
"In fact," Holly counters, "the England example proves nothing of the sort. There's no reason to think that what works in England would also work in the U.S."
"Why do you think that?" Ben asks.
"Well," Holly responds, "you recall what the other panelist said about gun control in this country. When Evanston, Illinois, banned guns altogether a few years back, that led to no reduction at all in violent crime. That shows that gun availability does not cause crime. If every city in the country followed Evanston's example, they would get the same result."
"Sounds like you're pretty negative on gun control," Ben observes.
"Yes, I am," Holly replies. "As soon as we have gun registration, the next thing you know we'll need a license to buy a gun. And that will lead the government to impose a tax on gun ownership. Taxes always increase, and when gun owners are no longer able to pay the tax, that will lead to gun confiscation. Finally, when guns are completely removed from the hands of the public, there will be nothing to prevent some wild-eyed fanatic from taking over the government. Complete totalitarianism will follow in no time."
"Do you really think that could happen in this country?" Ben asks.
"If it happened in Nazi Germany, it could happen here," she replies. "And, as one of the panelists said, it did happen in Nazi Germany, and Fascist Italy, too."
"So, do you think you have a right to own a gun?" Ben asks.
"Absolutely," Holly replies. "The current president of the NRA-his name escapes me at the moment-says that the right to own a gun, even an assault weapon, is guaranteed by the Constitution. Given that he knows a lot about guns, what he says about them is certainly true."
"I'll withhold judgment on that," says Ben. "But here's what I think you should do. You should take a couple deep breaths and calm down. You've turned into a gun nut. If people see what's happened to you, they won't take any of your arguments seriously."
"Think what you want about me," Holly says. "But the next time you're robbed at gunpoint, don't come crying in my direction."
Ben laughs. "Okay, I promise I won't. Well, see you around . . . if I survive!"
"See you!" she says.