14. On March 3, 2000, the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action criticized President Bill Clinton’s claim that “13 children are killed by guns every day.” The NRA pointed out that to reach the “13 children” figure, President Clinton and antigun groups counted anyone under the age of twenty as a child. Since there are relatively few handgun deaths among children under fourteen but a much greater number among young adults age fifteen to nineteen, adding both groups together increases the number of deaths among

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children” by 569 percent. Using Evidence. The following passages help illustrate correct and incorrect uses of evidence. For each passage, try to identify the primary weaknesses by applying the following criteria as discussed in this chapter.

Tests of Evidence. Apply each of the following tests to the passages:

Reliability Evidence should be drawn from sources that have proven to be correct many times in the past.

Expertise Evidence should be drawn from sources having a background of knowledge in relevant information.

Objectivity Evidence should be taken from sources who hold a fair and undistorted view on a question or issue.

Consistency Evidence should agree with other sources and should be consistent with itself.

Recency Evidence should be based on the most current information available.

Relevance The facts and evidence presented should be relevant to the claim that is made.

Access Evidence should be drawn from sources who have observed firsthand the matter being disputed.

Now, here is the evidence to be evaluated.