Sunday, April 7, 2019

Week 12: Changes Needed

It is no secret that Americans are currently divided between whether or not there is a need for more strict gun laws in the United States. I'm saying that I believe there is. Everytown Research posted on their website on the forth of April that “[e]very day, 100 Americans are killed with guns and hundreds more are shot and injured. The effects of gun violence extend far beyond these casualties—gun violence shapes the lives of millions of Americans who witness it, know someone who was shot, or live in fear of the next shooting” (https://everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/).


One reason that I see a lot on social media as to why more strict gun laws should not be enforced is that it takes away the second amendment right from American citizens. However, ensuring that people are educated, responsible, and mentally stable enough to carry such a dangerous weapon through rigorous background checking does not take away that right. To be truthful, I believe that if some people worry that their guns will be taken from them, they need to question whether or not they should be carrying one in the first place. 

I am the type of person who enjoys going to concerts, and the first thing that I always do when I get inside of the venue is look for my exits and plan what would be the quickest way out. Even though security guards pat everyone down before the show, check all bags, and make us all going through metal detectors, I still cannot help but worry. What if someone sneaked in or the security missed someone? The other day my friend and I were talking about going to the movies and something that we discussed was how after entering the theatre, we both look for a way out in case of a shooting. These kinds of thoughts follow me wherever I go whether I find myself occasionally thinking about what would happen if a shooter came into my work or on the school’s campus. 


And I’ve never personally witnessed any kind of shooting in my life. In 2018, “[t]here were at least 103 incidents of gunfire on school grounds” in the United States. (https://everytownresearch.org/gunfire-in-school/#ns) It is shocking when these tragic events are reported on news stations, but it’s important to think about the people who are personally affected by them and how their lives change forever. On March 24, it was reported that “a second Parkland shooting survivor died by suicide in a week’s span” due to survivor guilt (https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article228350134.html).

No person should have to experience what victims of gun violence are forced to experience. It is important that people feel safe. While guns are there for protection, they also have the ability to do a lot of harm. Some people say that there is no such thing as “gun violence,” and there is only “people violence.” In some ways that is correct, but the violence of some people is what brings them to having gun violence. Therefore, changes need to be made to the current gun laws so that these weapons are less likely to be put in the hands of those who abuse them.

Works Cited:
“Gun Violence in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 4 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/. 
Madan, Monique O. “Leaders React and Take Steps after Second Tragedy at Parkland.” Miamiherald, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2019, www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article228350134.html. 
“The Long, Shameful List of Gunfire on School Grounds in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 3 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gunfire-in-school/#ns.

“Gun Violence in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 4 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/. 
Madan, Monique O. “Leaders React and Take Steps after Second Tragedy at Parkland.” Miamiherald, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2019, www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article228350134.html. 
“The Long, Shameful List of Gunfire on School Grounds in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 3 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gunfire-in-school/#ns.“Gun Violence in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 4 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/.
Madan, Monique O. “Leaders React and Take Steps after Second Tragedy at Parkland.” Miamiherald, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2019, www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article228350134.html. 
“The Long, Shameful List of Gunfire on School Grounds in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 3 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gunfire-in-school/#ns.“Gun Violence in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 4 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/.
Madan, Monique O. “Leaders React and Take Steps after Second Tragedy at Parkland.” Miamiherald, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2019, www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article228350134.html. 
“The Long, Shameful List of Gunfire on School Grounds in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 3 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gunfire-in-school/#ns.“Gun Violence in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 4 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/.
Madan, Monique O. “Leaders React and Take Steps after Second Tragedy at Parkland.” Miamiherald, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2019, www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article228350134.html. 
“The Long, Shameful List of Gunfire on School Grounds in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 3 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gunfire-in-school/#ns.
“Gun Violence in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 4 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/. 
Madan, Monique O. “Leaders React and Take Steps after Second Tragedy at Parkland.” Miamiherald, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2019, www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article228350134.html. 
“The Long, Shameful List of Gunfire on School Grounds in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 3 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gunfire-in-school/#ns.“Gun Violence in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 4 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/.
Madan, Monique O. “Leaders React and Take Steps after Second Tragedy at Parkland.” Miamiherald, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2019, www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article228350134.html. 
“The Long, Shameful List of Gunfire on School Grounds in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 3 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gunfire-in-school/#ns.
“Gun Violence in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 4 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/. 
Madan, Monique O. “Leaders React and Take Steps after Second Tragedy at Parkland.” Miamiherald, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2019, www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article228350134.html. 
“The Long, Shameful List of Gunfire on School Grounds in America.” EverytownResearch.org, 3 Apr. 2019, everytownresearch.org/gunfire-in-school/#ns.

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