Filmmaker John Richie's illuminating documentary features interviews with victims of personal, gun-related tragedy, including parents and teachers from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, and Deborah Cotton, who was one of 19 people shot on Mother's Day in 2013 during a New Orleans parade. But 91% is not as much about people whose lives have been irrevocably altered by guns as it is about the titular number, which represents the percentage of Americans who have supported expanded background checks as a reasonable tool to help lessen gun access. Within that impressive statistic is another that underscores the fact that the vast majority of gun owners and members of the National Rifle Association are fully on board with closing loopholes and tightening background checks. Yet, despite the Newtown massacre and other tragedies, the U.S. Congress has failed to enact any changes into law, seemingly taking its marching orders from the NRA administration, which opposes all gun control legislation. 91% looks at how the gun lobby has prevailed despite the popular will, noting that the NRA has excelled at muddying the facts, such as claiming that expanded checks will amount to a national registry of firearms (despite documented proof otherwise). By altering the message, NRA is able to get members to quickly turn against legislation, and lawmakers to follow suit. This compassionate and reasoned documentary makes it clear why even modest gun control is so hard to achieve in America, and how an organization like the NRA—once an advocate for gun control—has now become a marketing force for deep-pocketed weapons manufacturers. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (T. Keogh)
91%: A Film About Guns in America
(2016) 71 min. DVD: $99.95: public libraries & high schools; $350: colleges & universities. The Cinema Guild. PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 0-7815-1544-0. Volume 32, Issue 2
91%: A Film About Guns in America
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: