Dodgeballs vs. Rifles

This ad cleverly depicts the violence created by assault rifles through the ironic contrast of the simple game of dodgeball, which is banned, versus the legal use of dangerous weapons. The graphic images contrast both the aspect of a child-like innocence against the hideous violence of a large black assault rifle. The advertisement conveys the message that our nation’s priorities toward violence are without proper focus. The ad creates wonder at how this huge rifle in the hands of a young boy which can create so much death and destruction has not been banned while a simple, bouncy dodgeball so comfortably held in the other child’s arms next to him is seen as too violent and banned. The placement of the two children in a school gymnasium is simple and effective as the images of the littered basketballs and dodge balls help create an air of innocence contrasting against the air of violence emanating from the large rifle. The use of the game of dodgeball contrasted with the assault rifle is also effective as dodgeball is a recognizable game known to cause injury and bring out ferocity within children. However, by contrasting the dodgeball with the rifle, the effects that dodgeball has in creating competitive game situations is greatly overshadowed by the effects that assault weapons have in creating mayhem and death.  Similarly, the ominous looking, dripping red shirt of the boy holding the rifle looks like the outpour of blood after a gunshot furthering the idea of the death and destruction caused by assault weapons. In conclusion, the ad’s ironic contrast of children playing games versus playing with guns portrays the message that assault weapons should be banned.