Alessandra Aguirre, Erica Jimenez, Jacob Woods

1. What is the purpose of the argument?
   1. The illustrator Nick Anderson is using art to show the inequities between access to different goods or services in our economy and social structures. On the left hand side of the comic we see an unscalable large white staircase cutting off the man from receiving health care. This resembles the obstacles the U.S healthcare systems create and continue to support through gatekeeping of health insurance or basic health care treatments. Then on the right hand side we see a business that is selling firearms and even a sign displaying the words, “come right in” implying the extremely simple and accessible process of obtaining a firearm here in the United States. This comic illustration takes a stab at the decisions made by the United States and their priorities. It is within those priorities that the U.S falls short to provide our citizens with resources and access to support their well-being. This message also subtly makes a connection between gun violence and mental health in the U.S seeing as it is a well known fact that most gun violence (especially within young communities) is a result of individuals suffering from mental health issues. It is controversial but not untrue in any way which validates the message. 
2. Who or where is the argument coming from?
   1. The argument comes from an editorial cartoonist that works for the Houston Chronicle newspaper by the name of Nick Anderson. It’s important to note the Houston Chronicles based in Texas, a state with some of the  most lenient gun laws in the country. In this cartoon the audience can see an almost insurmountable staircase representing our mental healthcare system beside a gunsmith with open doors and arrows pointing inside. The cartoonist here displays the parallels between accessing basic health care and the average Americans access to a gun. 
3. Who is the author appealing to? 
   1. The author is appealing to any adult over the age of 21. This argument shows how easily accessible firearms are compared to access to mental support. Most adults could purchase a gun by simply walking into a store, whereas it is much more difficult to schedule an appointment for mental needs or medical needs. This argument could also broaden their audience to the governing parties as they are arguing a fix or change in these systems.