December 16th, 2024: a tragedy occurred. Next, 9-1-1 was dialed by a second-grade teacher about a 15-year-old female shooter at Abundant Life Christian School, a K-12 school in Madison, Wisconsin. two dead, six injured. This incident sparks a recurring question…should civilians still be allowed to own weapons?
In an article by the New York Times, they explain gun control. Shootings commonly happen in the US because of violent society, class, racial divides, and mental health. To fix a problem, some of these groups think that gun violence is the only solution but the United States refuses to tighten gun laws even though the shooting rate is without parallel in other countries. The question is, where are they getting these guns..? Private sellers at gun shows or online marketplaces are not required to run background checks, which gives access to many citizens to own rifles or other types of guns. But, federal law highly restricts the sale of certain firearms, such as fully automatic rifles.
Being in school, the thought of a shooting ever happening is very worrisome. According to Columbia University’’s Mailman School of Public Health, research has shown school shootings happen more in small towns than in cities.
When asked about her opinions on guns, Triton High School junior Delaney Quinn said, “No, personally people owning guns doesn’t bother me because it makes some people feel safer at home and some use them for hunting, however when people make threats with guns, that’s when I get nervous”
Whether it’s high school, elementary school, or college, the thought of a shooting is always there. Principal Sarah McIsaac of Aborn Elementary in Lynn, MA shares her opinions as well.
“I feel that people should have the right to protect themselves, however, there needs to be stricter laws that regulate who can purchase a gun. I also feel that there needs to be more background checks, mental health screenings, and waiting periods”.
“I personally do not choose to own a gun, they make me nervous, and I have concerns about people using 3-D printers to make homemade guns…There’s no way to track them which is very unsafe”, said McIsaac.
Enthusiasts of guns argue that proposals to limit access to firearms go against the rights of citizens to bear arms as granted in the Second Amendment of our Constitution. Citizens feel strongly about their rights so owning a gun is a freedom for individuals that they don’t want taken away. In an article by Pew Research Center by Ruth Igielnik and Anna Brown it says how America has a deep, complex history with guns. About 4 in 10 Americans say they either own a gun, or live in a household with guns, and 45% say they grew up owning them. These people own guns for protection as the primary reason and others for activities like hunting or their day-to-day jobs. Enthusiasts agree that those with mental illnesses should not have access to guns but that doesn’t in any way mean that just because some can’t own them, everyone can’t.
In an article on Issues and Controversies, proponents of gun control believe that the “Widespread availability of firearms has made it easier for criminals and the mentally ill to perpetrate tragic mass shootings. Access to guns must be made more difficult if shooting deaths are to be reduced; gun violence will continue to be a problem if gun ownership is not controlled. The government can regulate the sale of firearms without violating the Second Amendment”.
