Everyday in the United States, we hear of shootouts. Multiple people are dying and this isn’t an uncommon occurrence either – it’s on the news on the regular. When will the shootings stop? Are we at war with ourselves? And will authorities take away our right, as U.S. citizens, to bear arms? Should they?
The fact of the matter is, the second amendment grants U.S. citizens the right to bear arms. Many will argue the idea of possible gun control because [typically] right wing politicians believe the second amendment shouldn’t come with a list of terms and conditions. I think there is a lack of awareness when people preach the second amendment as if it wasn’t created years beyond years ago. Just like a loaf of bread – some things are meant to expire.
On April 20th, 1999 in Littleton, Colorado tragedy struck. Twelve students and one teacher were shot down and killed by Dylan Klebold, 17 and Eric Harris, 18 at Columbine High School. What was meant to be a typical Spring day at school became one of the most notable school shooting massacres in all of U.S. history. As parents rushed to the school to retrieve their children, parents of twelve students and loved ones of one teacher would leave empty handed for the rest of their lives. The concern for the safety of students at school was extreme. New laws and procedures would be put into affect to keep our children safe – right? Well, that was wishful thinking.
As I did further research, I discovered that in the 90s alone: 84 students lost heir lives in U.S. school shootings leaving 177 students/teachers injured. This prompted me to wonder how these clearly unstable individuals got ahold of these weapons. How were they even able to bring them inside a school where everyone is meant to feel safe? I assumed that maybe there weren’t any previous issues with gun violence in schools prior to the 1990s. I was dumbfounded to learn that the first ever documented school shooting in the U.S. took place in 1764; claiming the lives of ten students and one teacher.
From 1764 to present there has been a total of 395 deaths and 356 injuries in the U.S. from school shootings alone. I would like to think that after the first documented school shooting that officials would promote a massive change – but no.
Shootings don’t only take place in schools and angsty teens aren’t the only ones behind the trigger. Does the name James Holmes ring a bell? This now 27 year old, class A psychopath opened fire in a Colorado movie theatre nearly three years ago. After killing twelve people and wounding seventy, Holmes went to trial and was found guilty. He was given twelve life sentences plus an additional 3,318 years in prison. Mr. Holmes will not be offered the possibility of parol. Some say he is undeserving of life. Others use the common excuse of “he’s another mentally ill man with access to fire arms, why are we surprised?”
If, in fact, this isn’t a surprise then why and how are these mentally sick people finding their way to weapons? The U.S. has yet to figure that out, obviously.
In most recent news, two journalists from Virginia were shot and killed while filming live on the air. The gunman [who goes by Bryce Williams] was a past coworker and apparently held a two year long grudge against Alison Parker, 24 and Adam Ward, 27. Williams accused Parker of making racial remarks towards him and said Ward reported him to human resources after working with him just once. Surviving coworkers of Alison and Adam described Williams as someone who goes searching for things to be offended by. They added that Williams was an all around confrontational person and was very difficult to work with. Nevertheless, he was still able to purchase the firearm that would later take two lives, including his own. Without a criminal record he was permitted to buy this gun. Despite his odd behaviors and attitude at work, no one thought anything of it. He was just a weird guy.
Gun violence within the United States only continues to worsen as the years go on. Shouldn’t that give us the motive to, just maybe, create a terms and conditions on the second amendment? It’s quite obvious that congress isn’t yet willing to pass any progressive form of gun control laws seems how current president, Barack Obama, has addressed this issue since being elected back in 2009. Obama’s plan didn’t sit well with most Americans which just indicates a need for our 2016 president to find a comfortable middle ground to satisfy both sides of the spectrum.
People everywhere will surprise you. Even the most innocent faces can unveil and reveal a deadly side. When will we know when it’s necessary to take serious action? It’s time to wake up, America.
Words By Brianna Humes