Ah, the power of advertising. It can make us buy just about anything – food, drink, electronics, fashion items – but sometimes it can also be a powerful tool to make us think twice about the reasons why we buy the things we do. This controversial anti-gun ad, filmed in New York City, has certainly ruffled a few feathers.

The video, created by the lobby group States United To Prevent Gun Violence, confronts prospective gun-buyers with the reality of the harm these weapons can create. This from Stuff:

Surveys show six out of ten Americans believe owning a firearm makes one safer. SUPV said that studies showed the opposite to be true. “Our goal is to educate those looking to purchase a firearm and ensure they are aware of the potential risks ” said executive director of SUPV Julia Wyman in a press release.

“In fact a gun in the home greatly increases the risk of homicide and suicide.”

As you can imagine, the advert got pro-gun activists up in arms crying foul play. Charlton Heston declaring ‘from my cold dead hands’ should have conveyed the fact that these guys don’t take kindly to being contested, with this from Stuff again:

Gun advocates are outraged by the video, with one local group arguing that at the stunt was in fact illegal. The New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYSRPA) asked Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to investigate the producers of the video for potential violations of state laws…

The National Rifle Association has also condemned the video, calling it an “elaborate fraud”.

“It’s appalling that the gun control lobby exploits tragedy to further a political agenda” they said in a statement.

They also called into question the ‘shocked’ gun buyers, saying there was no reason to believe they were not in fact paid customers.

Well watch the above video for yourself and see if it sends a few chills down your spine. One wonders how many crazed gunmen mowing down innocent civilians it will take before a long, hard look is taken at US gun laws.

[source:stuff]