Here are a list of memes you may find floating around social media. We will show you the meme and give you all the information you need to combat them or to teach others of the inappropriate use of fallacy's. Please remember, that although the goal of the meme may seem good, its supporting arguments are unfounded or inappropriately used.
Problem #1: Personal observations without sourced facts.
Guns in American homes for more than 200 years is an indisputable fact based on American history, however, mass shootings becoming an issue only with the last 30 years is not only an unsupported fact but is also completely FALSE. The first recorded mass shooting in U.S. history happened on September 6, 1949 (Source). Howard Unruh went on a 20 minute shooting rampage in which he killed 13 people and wounded 3 others.
Problem #2: Where is the information linking mass shootings to parenting?
The meme begins by talking about guns, however, it then throws a curve ball at you and tries to link mass shootings to parenting and the disciplining of children. This link is provided without any facts or even a minor explanation as to how this link is being made.
Guns in American homes for more than 200 years is an indisputable fact based on American history, however, mass shootings becoming an issue only with the last 30 years is not only an unsupported fact but is also completely FALSE. The first recorded mass shooting in U.S. history happened on September 6, 1949 (Source). Howard Unruh went on a 20 minute shooting rampage in which he killed 13 people and wounded 3 others.
Problem #2: Where is the information linking mass shootings to parenting?
The meme begins by talking about guns, however, it then throws a curve ball at you and tries to link mass shootings to parenting and the disciplining of children. This link is provided without any facts or even a minor explanation as to how this link is being made.
Problem: Sources?
When you list "Facts" you need to cite your sources (as we have all be taught since the early years of grade school). If you are sharing this post because is supports your position, without verifying the data for yourself, you are simply agreeing with it because it supports your side of the argument. This should be a sign to you that you have become extremely biased in the debate. This should NOT be a discouragement. Rather, this should encourage you to conduct more research and become more informed with the correct facts that DO support your position. Not only will you then be more informed but you will also be armed with the evidence needed to battle and win the debate against your opponent.
When you list "Facts" you need to cite your sources (as we have all be taught since the early years of grade school). If you are sharing this post because is supports your position, without verifying the data for yourself, you are simply agreeing with it because it supports your side of the argument. This should be a sign to you that you have become extremely biased in the debate. This should NOT be a discouragement. Rather, this should encourage you to conduct more research and become more informed with the correct facts that DO support your position. Not only will you then be more informed but you will also be armed with the evidence needed to battle and win the debate against your opponent.
Problem: Does nothing to advance the debate.
While very funny this meme is only designed to cause the audience to either laugh in enjoyment or anger the uninformed. This is a picture of a vehicle-jack that is commonly mounted on off-road vehicles such as a Jeep. The joke originates from an unconfirmed story that an individual who does not like guns had made a comment about one of these that was mounted on a vehicle. The comment insinuated that they believed this to be a rifle which should not be mounted to a vehicle.
While very funny this meme is only designed to cause the audience to either laugh in enjoyment or anger the uninformed. This is a picture of a vehicle-jack that is commonly mounted on off-road vehicles such as a Jeep. The joke originates from an unconfirmed story that an individual who does not like guns had made a comment about one of these that was mounted on a vehicle. The comment insinuated that they believed this to be a rifle which should not be mounted to a vehicle.