Counting the Cost / Al Jazeera – 2013-02-08 23:56:02

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/countingthecost/2013/02/201327132347155613.html

(February 8, 2013) — The gun control debate is nothing new. And, sadly, it finds new life every time there is an unnecessary death caused by someone with a gun. This week on Counting the Cost, we take a look at gun control, focusing on the money trail; the way money moves in and out of the system, at both a corporate and political level, and the influence it has.

Inevitably our discussion focuses on the US, where there are 90 guns for every 100 people. It is an incredible statistic, and through a simple law of averages tells you a lot about why there is so much gun-related crime in the US.

We have got more of those statistics from around the world on this week’s show, as well as two guests to explain different angles of the debate. Hubert Williams, a former law enforcement official, has his views on how to control guns, reign-in the purchasing of them, and still uphold the Second Amendment, which allows Americans to hold and bear arms.

While Viveca Novak from opensecrets.org sheds more light on how ‘gun money’ influences American politics. Research conducted by her organization reveals a huge clash — in ideals, at the very least — between politicians charged with reforming gun control and politicians who receive campaign money from the gun lobby.

Also this week, Steve Chao returns with more of his reports from around Asia. Last week he brought us a special report and series of interviews from Macau. This week it is Taiwan, where the ‘Made in China’ phenomenon has hurt a once-strong manufacturing industry. But he has found some who taking some creative measures to bring back business.

And Matt Rumsey is in Switzerland with a story about horses, watches and $130m worth of sponsorship money. That is how much watchmaker Longines is throwing at the sport of equestrianism, proving once again how some big corporates are surviving this economic downturn pretty well.

Watch each week at the following times GMT: Friday: 2230; Saturday: 0930; Sunday: 0330; Monday: 1630.