Intention

In this section of the study guide, we will discuss President Barack Obama’s intentions with his remarks on common-sense gun safety reforms.

Convincing the American voters

Barack Obama’s main intention is to convince the American public of the urgency of limiting gun violence in the United States. Obama states this intention clearly:

That’s why we’re here today. Not to debate the last mass shooting, but to do something to try to prevent the next one. (Applause.) To prove that the vast majority of Americans, even if our voices aren’t always the loudest or most extreme, care enough about a little boy like Daniel to come together and take common-sense steps to save lives and protect more of our children. (ll. 82-88)

Note that Obama also attempts to show the urgency of limiting gun violence through a d...