How "The Punisher" Flubbed the Gun Control Debate

So, The Punisher came out on Netflix last year, and while it was very good, there was one aspect of it that I found...rather clumsy. That clumsy part was it's handling of social issues, particularly it's take on gun control. As a way of padding out it's 13-episode season, Punisher spent several episodes discussing the impact of violence on the human condition, the role of veterans in today's society, and,  most importantly, the aforementioned gun control. While the first two were handled incredibly well, gun control is an issue that's handled tenderly and ultimately dropped unsatisfyingly. The show's take on the issue struggled simply because it never took a clear position and failed to really explain why either side even really has a point. 

The show takes on gun control at the direct midpoint of the series, with several characters (including the Punisher and his ally Karen Page) taking a pro-gun stance while literally just one character (a Senator of New York) is pro-gun control. The immediate problem is the pro-gun side consists of a vigilante (Frank) , a close friend of multiple vigilantes (Karen), a domestic terrorist (arc villain Lewis Wilson), and a cowardly liar pretending to be a veteran, while the senator is portrayed as a smooth-talking wuss who ultimately begs for his life when it comes down to it. The show chooses to portray both sides as flawed with no real upsides, reminding me a lot of South Park's tendency to mock both sides of a real debate without ever taking a side. 

Remember when they made fun of Al Gore for spreading climate change awareness? 

While a more moderate stance on the issue is fine, the problem is the show seemed unwilling to admit that this was it's stance. Rather than ever have any characters admit that they may be wrong, the show simply drops the subplot once Lewis is dealt with. They even have a ripe opportunity to resolve things, with Frank taking a bullet to save the Senator from Lewis, but ultimately backs off. Frank never admits that maybe assault rifles shouldn't end up in civilian hands, nor does the senator admit that maybe guns could save lives. And ultimately, that's dangerous and somewhat lazy. 

It's dangerous because in a world of mass shooters who frequently take inspiration from characters like Frank Castle (to the point where the show's release was delayed due to a mass shooting in Las Vegas while the Virginia Tech shooter's dorm was covered in Punisher art), a show about him really could've addressed the character's roots as a gun-toting vigilante and role in a gun-obsessed society in a deeply meaningful fashion. But instead, it simply blinks when given the opportunity and moves on rather than trying to take a side. And in many ways, saying both sides are dumb is more dangerous than saying nothing at all.