by Nigel Hicks
In Guns We Trust has an interesting premise – as Australians (or non-Americans), the US obsession with gun ownership seems hard to relate to. This documentary from Josh Janssen and Tommy Jackett of The Daily Talk Show endeavours to present components of the problem for discussion, rather than taking a firm viewpoint. They partially succeed but it should be acknowledged that most of the documentary is taken up by pro-gun interviews and segments.
The filmmakers have chosen a very jarring opening scene, and it is probably the most impactful moment of the documentary: we see 10-year-old boys being taught how to fire handguns in an education program called Kids to Kings. Outside the USA, it is unfathomable.
Janssen and Jackett spend a month travelling across the USA, interviewing armed professionals, gun hobbyists, and everyday people. There is a consistent message from those in favour of gun ownership, in that people are the problem, not guns. There is also a running theme about not allowing oneself to be a victim – having a gun eliminates that fear for many. They do interview a university professor who authored a study on the gun debate, and a former FBI agent who was tasked with setting up an education program to ready students for school mass shootings.
The filming quality is good, and the interview subjects – many chosen at random – seem ideal. Running into a gun-loving Texas sheriff, and the lady who owns the store with a bullet vending machine – yes, really – are such examples.
The editing and the pacing are inconsistent. We spend significant time watching Janssen and Jackett firing guns, yet the Las Vegas Shooting memorial tribute – which shows the other side of gun violence – was blink-and-you-miss-it.
In Guns We Trust is an outsider’s look at the USA’s relationship with guns. While there are brief moments which show the impact of gun violence, most interview subjects suggest they could not imagine living without the protection of one. The passion that US folks have for gun ownership and the Second Amendment is not going anywhere anytime soon.
