Columbine victims return bullets to K-Mart

Moore shows the irony that the USA sanction dropping bombs on others but can't understand why their children shoot each other. Archival footage of Columbine gives authenticity and strengthens Moore's narrative and the actual Columbine footage creates empathy

Moore uses narration and juxtaposition (deliberately putting two things side by side so the contrast is obvious to show that the everyday life in America has a darker side to it.

The documentary reviews the role of the media in reporting crime and generating a culture of fear, comparing editorial choices involving race and guns to evidence from researchers and authorities.