By Vienna Zerbe
While many believe stronger gun control would be a violation of their second amendment right, stronger gun control would benefit the lives of all American citizens. Gun control would provide a more efficient way to sell firearms, such as the use of stricter background checks. This would allow firearm stores to only sell to those who are qualified or are stable enough to own a firearm.
The Stoneman Douglas High School shooting was unfortunately one shooting among many that our country has experienced in recent years. In the wake of this shooting, the discussion regarding gun control in America has become a heated debate.
The recent school shooting left 17 dead and many wounded and terrified. Despite the casualties, there are still those who believe that there is no need for gun control. Many believe that despite these atrocities, citizens still have the right to bear arms per the 2nd Amendment.
Michael Mountz, global studies teacher at YS, gave input on the recent legislation happening in Florida. “The Florida state general assembly recently passed a gun control measure that did several things. It expanded the system of background checks. It raised the age to buy and assault weapon from 18 to 21. Previously in the state of Florida, you could buy an assault weapon at age 18.
The attention mental health is receiving is long overdue. That solution is not aggressive enough due to the fact that people are losing their lives in this country.
Some support the popular phrase, “Guns don’t kill people. People kill.” While this is true, guns or any sort of weapon are meant for one purpose. A country with more tightly controlled gun regulation would be much safer.
While the idea of using a gun for protection is a viable reasoning regarding the obtainment of firearms, it still begs the question if it is worth the compromise of safety in America. It seems, in my opinion, that the very thing people defend as a means of safety is the very thing that jeopardizes it.
The debate on gun control is without a doubt delicate. It is difficult to choose which option is the safest for our country; however, a gun ban would be the safest for our country. Gun ban laws have been the solution for other countries. For example, after suffering a massacre over 20 years ago, Australia leaving 35 dead and 23 injured.
The massacre caused the creation of National Firearms act. The act prohibited sale and transportation for firearms and introduced a 28-day waiting period for those who still attempted to purchased firearms. The National Firearms act is still reviewed every six months by Australia’s lawmakers. Australia has not suffered a massacre since.