Discussion Guide for Conceal and Carry

October 14, 2020

Discussion Guide for Conceal and Carry

Conceal and Carry is a play written by Sean Christopher Lewis and performed by Chris Koval. The play highlights aspects of the history and culture of guns in the United States, and offers the perspective of someone who has experienced gun harm in his life, even if he or his loved ones weren’t directly the victims of a gunshot. The term gun harm encapsulates all ways that guns impact a person, from the fear that the lead felt as a child sleeping with a gun downstairs, to the deep grief and trauma that the driver of the car was experiencing following the murder of his son.

As we discuss this play and this topic, please recognize how difficult it may be for you or for others, especially if there have been instances of gun violence in someone’s life. Please know that at any point, you should feel free to step back, skip questions or take any time that you need. This exercise is meant to spark discussion, but not at the expense of someone’s well being. Remember that these are complex, nuanced issues that do not always have a clear-cut answer.

In the allotted time, take a moment to consider the implicit and explicit ways that guns have impacted your life. Have you ever changed your behavior to avoid gun violence? Start with that question, and then delve into the questions for your group that best suit you.

High school or college students:

Have you ever been through an active shooter drill or a lockdown where it either was real or you didn’t know that it wasn’t? How did you feel during it?
There are now schools designed to have hideouts in case of an active shooter, or and companies are producing bulletproof backpacks. Do you see this as a good solution to the problem of gun violence in schools?
School Resource Officers became commonplace after the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Does your school have one? Do you feel safer knowing that an officer is on campus?
Obviously with COVID-19, this may be different now, but how often did you think about a school shooting happening at your school?
Take a look at the website. What is the current age to purchase a gun in your state? Is a background check required? Are there any restrictions to purchasing an assault weapon or a high capacity magazine in your state? Do you think the current law is a good one? Do you think it should be changed? If so, how?
The Second Amendment reads: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” What do you think about the ways in which that statement has created the gun culture we have today?
Do you believe that the context in which the amendment was written in 1789 is important? Do you think an amendment like that should still apply in the context we live in now? How have things changed during that time?
Do your families own guns? Were you taught about gun safety?

Gun owners:

Why is owning a gun important to you? How does it make you feel?
Did you grow up with guns in your household? How do you think that shaped your outlook on them now?
When were you first taught that owning a gun was a good thing?
Where did you learn about gun safety? Have you taught your family about gun safety, or do rely on someone else for gun safety training? What steps do you take in your own household to keep everyone safe?
Are guns an important political issue to you? Have you ever voted for a specific candidate based off of their gun policy?
There are over 30,000 gun deaths in the United States every year. What, in your view, do you see as a potential solution to reduce that number?
Take a moment to read this piece by Justin McFarlin, a Black army combat veteran. To what extent does race impact someone’s ability to openly carry a gun safely? What could be done to change it?

Political Groups:

Did you grow up with guns in your household? How do you think that shaped your outlook on them now?
Do you own guns now? If so, why did you decide to purchase one?
The Second Amendment reads: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” What do you think about the ways in which that statement has created the gun culture we have today?
Do you believe that the context in which the amendment was written in 1789 is important? Do you think an amendment like that should still apply in the context we live in now? How have things changed during that time?
There are over 30,000 gun deaths in the United States every year. What, in your view, do you see as a potential solution to reduce that number?
What is your view of the National Rifle Association? Do you think that their impact on our policymakers is helpful or hurtful to our country?
What is your view of the group Moms Demand Action? Do you think that their impact on our policymakers is helpful or hurtful to our country?
Take a moment to read this piece by Justin McFarlin, a Black army combat veteran. To what extent does race impact someone’s ability to openly carry a gun safely? What could be done to change it?

People of Color:

Did you grow up with guns in your household? How do you think that shaped your outlook on them now?
Do you own any guns now? If so, why did you decide to purchase one?
How does owning a gun make you feel?
What is preventing you from owning a gun?
How does white privilege impact your ability to feel safe and comfortable owning a gun?
Take a moment to read this piece by Justin McFarlin, a Black army combat veteran. To what extent does race impact someone’s ability to openly carry a gun safely? What could be done to change it?
How has gun violence impacted your life?

Survivors:

If you feel comfortable, would you like to share a bit of your story?
Oftentimes focus tends to lie on the lives lost to gun violence, and less on those with injuries or trauma. How do you think our society treats survivors of gun violence, and what more do you think we could be doing?
Are there sufficient resources in our community to address some of the underlying causes of gun violence? What could that look like?
Are there any leaders in our community or in the country who you look up to as advocates for the views that you hold on gun violence?
How have your views on guns evolved over time? Do you, or would you own one now?
Data and statistics are frequently used in conversations around gun violence. Does your experience feel represented in those conversations?
How can our society be better caring for you in the long-run?