Opinion: The Gun Machine Podcast Sheds Light on America’s Complex Relationship with Firearms
By [Author Name]
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Boston’s NPR station WBUR and nonprofit newsroom The Trace have joined forces to produce a thought-provoking podcast titled “The Gun Machine: How America Was Forged by the Gun Industry” [1]. This limited series aims to break the stalemate surrounding the conversation on gun violence and gun rights in America by challenging our existing perceptions about firearms [1].
Executive producer of WBUR Podcasts, Ben Brock Johnson, emphasizes that the common narrative of the government trying to take away guns is not the whole story. He points out that one of the first significant acts of the U.S. government was to actually give birth to the gun industry [1]. The Gun Machine provides an unflinching examination of this historical context and its lasting impact on the fate of America. By delving into this untold history, the podcast aims to evolve the national conversation about guns [1].
Hosted by Alain Stephens, staff writer for The Trace, The Gun Machine offers a deep dive into the hidden world of firearms, drawing from Stephens’ decade-long experience reporting on federal agents, traffickers, and the gun industry [1]. The podcast begins by exploring the origins of the national gun industry in the Northeast, which still shapes the industry today. It reveals how George Washington’s vision after the American Revolution led to a public-private partnership with gunsmiths in Massachusetts, ultimately setting the stage for America’s enduring addiction to firearms [1].
The Gun Machine brings together the expertise of Alain Stephens, along with editors Kevin Sullivan and Miles Kohrman from The Trace, and producer Grace Tatter and editor Ben Brock Johnson from WBUR. Together, they shed light on the historical patterns of a cozy relationship between the government and the firearms industry, a history often overlooked in conventional education [1]. The podcast explores how gun companies played a pivotal role in driving the second industrial revolution, supplying weapons to various factions in armed conflicts and repeatedly obstructing legislative reform and enforcement efforts [1].
Set to debut on October 4, 2023, The Gun Machine can be listened to and followed on popular podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music [1]. This groundbreaking podcast is partially funded by a grant from the Joyce Foundation, with additional support from the Kendeda Fund [1].
“The Gun Machine” promises to be an eye-opening exploration of America’s complex relationship with firearms. By challenging conventional ideas and uncovering hidden histories, this podcast has the potential to reshape the national conversation on guns. It is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped America’s relationship with firearms.
Listen to the trailer for “The Gun Machine” here: [2]
Sources:
[1] WBUR, The Trace. (2023, September 21). The Gun Machine: How America Was Forged by the Gun Industry. Retrieved from [URL]
[2] The Gun Machine Trailer. Retrieved from [URL]
https://podnews.net/press-release/the-gun-machine