Ep 5. Kamau Buys a Gun

In the fifth episode of the second season of United Shades of America, titled Kamau Buys a Gun, host W. Kamau Bell explores the complex and often divisive conversation around gun ownership in the United States.

As a self-proclaimed liberal, Bell admits that he has never been an advocate for guns. But in the wake of recent mass shootings and the constant debate around gun control, he admits to feeling a sense of fear and vulnerability that he has never before experienced. In an effort to confront his own biases and better understand the issue at hand, Bell sets out to purchase his first gun.

Throughout the episode, Bell meets with a diverse range of individuals who have strong opinions about gun ownership, including those who are staunch supporters of the Second Amendment, gun control advocates, and even survivors of gun violence. He visits a gun shop in conservative Georgia, where he receives training on how to properly handle and shoot a gun. Later, he heads to Chicago, a city that has been plagued by gun violence in recent years, to talk to families who have been directly impacted by shootings.

The conversation around gun ownership in the United States is deeply polarized, with many people viewing the issue as a matter of personal liberty versus public safety. But as Bell discovers, the reality is much more nuanced than this binary suggests. For example, he meets with a veteran who believes that responsible gun ownership is an important part of being an American, but who also acknowledges that not everyone should have access to guns. He also talks to gun control advocates who explain why they believe that stricter regulations and background checks could help reduce gun violence.

As he grapples with his own feelings about gun ownership, Bell acknowledges that there are no easy answers to this complex issue. But his willingness to engage in difficult conversations and approach the issue with an open mind helps to shed light on the importance of understanding other perspectives, even if we do not ultimately agree with them.

Overall, this episode of United Shades of America offers a thoughtful and thought-provoking look at the issue of gun ownership, and it challenges viewers to confront their own biases and assumptions about this controversial topic.