What's The Common Ground On Gun Control?

Hosted by National Public Radio's Scott Simon, this series of provocative programs (currently ten episodes) originally shown on PBS stations nationwide, examines the pros and cons of various topical issues. In the program on gun control, moderator John Marks leads a discussion between Wayne LaPierre, Executive Director of Legislation for the National Rifle Association and Pete Shields, the founder of Handgun Control, Inc. At issue is the question of checks and balances upon prospective purchasers of handguns, with LaPierre questioning delays on what the Constitution considers a basic right (for a citizen to bear arms), and Shields maintaining that nearly anyone can walk in off the street and purchase a lethal weapon without much in the way of a background check. Moderator Marks steers the two debaters towards areas on which they agree, and the agreements, as well as the disagreements, are listed on a visual "scoreboard." The scoreboard idea is a bit corny, but other than that, the program is well done, and sure to be of major interest to both general patrons and especially students working on research papers. Highly recommended. Other programs in the series include: What's the Common Ground on Abortion?; What's the Common Ground on Euthanasia?; Common Security: Common Ground Between East and West, Hawks and Doves; and What's the Common Ground between Traditional and Untraditional Ways of Treating Cancer? (Available from: Common Ground Productions, 2005 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Lower Level, Washing--ton D.C. 20036.)