This new film from the indispensible Barbara Kopple is a formidable advocacy piece against gun violence, focusing on compelling personal stories and common-sense legislative solutions to pitch its cause. After the Virginia Tech tragedy, survivor Colin Goddard begins a campaign against the easy accessibility of guns, particularly by means of the “gun-show loophole.” Similarly, Dr. Garen Wintemute was spurred into action by the escalating number of severe gun-related injuries in his ER at the UC Davis Medical Center. Both men not only work to prevent gun violence, Goddard on legislation in Washington and Wintemute triaging in Sacramento, but also risk their lives to acquire damning hidden-camera footage at free-for-all gun shows. The threat is so severe that Wintemute now leaves his will on the kitchen counter before heading to a show. Then there’s Richard Feldman, who was an NRA die-hard for 20 years before he became disillusioned with the politics. Through the careful portrayal of these charismatic main characters, Gun Fight offers an urgent message that could not be more timely.  NK