It's the Guns, Not the People

Illustration courtesy: Taryn Kim

Guns. The culprit of all too many deaths in the United States and responsible for the Buffalo shooting in New York, the shooting in Club Q, an LGBTQ club in Colorado, the Ubalde shooting at an elementary school in Texas, and more. In 202, there wasn't a week without a mass shooting.

The U.S. gun homicide rate is 25 times higher than in other affluent countries and those aged 15 to 24 years are nearly twice as likely to die by gunshot than anywhere else in the economically developed world (Harvard.edu). The U.s. is the only country on earth that has more guns than people. Current laws don't even bar the number of guns an individual can own There are kids whose parents have over a hundred loaded and unlocked guns at home.

But why? Why is gun violence a uniquely American phenomena ?

Look at any other developed country. It's not that they have fewer mental health problems or fewer violent video games. It's not that they are less violent or have less crime. But other countries do have stronger gun laws—with universal background checks and waiting periods—which have ade it much harder for people to gain access to guns (Vox).

Canada requires all gun owners to be at least 18 years old, obtain a license that includes a background check, and complete a public safety course. Australia prohibits assault weapons and requires licensees to demonstrate a "genuine need" for a particular type of gun and to take a firearm safety course. In Japan, the only guns permitted are shotguns, air guns, guns that have research or industrial purposes, or those used for competitions. Before access to those specialty weapons are granted, one must attend formal instruction and pass multiple tests and a rigorous background check (CNN).

American classrooms shouldn't need a bulletproof pod for students to cram into to avoid a shooter nor should students need bulletproof backpacks. They shouldn't need gun-wielding guards, teachers or aides. living in the U.S. shouldn't require active shooter training. What is needed is a tighter grip on the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. "This was written in 1791. Gun laws from the 18th century should not apply to our society today.

There are some very basic common sense laws that should be implemented to prevent mass shootings. These measures include raising the legal purchasing age to at least 21; thorough background checks; "red flag" laws allowing law enforcement officials to confiscate guns from people who display warning signs of violence; and renewing the assault weapon ban, which would restrict or prohibit access to the kinds of rifles shooters often use 9BYT).

I am tired of reading headlines of students and teachers shot at school or that 1 have died while shopping their local Walmart. Parents are tired or writing about sending their 5-year old to kindergarten. The U.S government needs to put restrictions in place now before guns take the lives of even more children. Kids who grow up doing active shooter drills are future voters. May they vote for candidates that support gun restrictions.