From the day we start school, one of the first things we’re taught is about safety. We’re told to keep our personal belongings hidden, never take anything valuable into the building, and above all:
Know where to hide.
We practice it often, a routine that’s passed off as normal and expected. Go to the corner of the classroom, turn off all the lights, and be – Quiet.
Silence your cellphones, and wait for the all-clear to announce over your head while administrators roam the halls, checking every door to make sure it’s locked. Because, one mistake, one overlook, could cost you your life.
Growing up in America, you’re always taught of the dangers of being outside. Not just because someone could kidnap you or jump you, because that easily happens in every country, but because while you’re harmlessly shopping for a cute summer outfit, someone two aisles over could be planning something sinister.
Unfortunately, where I live, shootings are normalized. You hear about it every day. Even at the time of writing this, Charlie Kirk was shot, the West County Mall had a gun threat and two schools had an active shooter and went on lockdown.
And we move on.
We offer “thoughts and prayers,” but where has that gotten any of us? Where has that gotten the kids whose lives were lost at the hand of an unstable gunman? Sending love and grief hasn’t saved a soul yet, and won’t ever in the future. The only thing that will ever save the lives of the youth and innocent living in this country are laws.
I know, big scary words regarding something protected by the Second Amendment. But let me ask you this; would you rather safety regarding guns be implemented and have a better chance at saving lives, or would you rather keep things the way they are just to not mess with the amendment? The Second Amendment, written Dec. 15, 1791, following the Revolutionary War was written for the purpose of deflecting tyranny and aiding in self defense against the government. It has little relevancy today, other than hunting.
I’m not saying ban guns entirely, although that has statistically shown to be effective. And as good as that sounds, I’m thinking
realistically about this country. Laws and regulations implemented have, again, statistically shown that there is a significant decrease in gun violence when people are required to get a license and have mental background checks taken (according to the gun safety alliance of Australia). Letting anyone openly carry and run around with a loaded weapon opens up disastrous consequences, as shown.
So, what steps could you possibly take to convince the government to alter an amendment of the constitution? Realistically, nothing. But like all movements in the past, it takes passion, power and convincing to make a change in something so controversial.
I know I am only 18 and stereotypically wouldn’t know much about the world, but it’s not like I have never had an experience with guns. I grew up around them. I’ve heard horror stories of close family members. I’ve been around dangerous situations. My school has had many threats in my time here. Not only that, I have friends who have lost people to gun violence, which would have been prevented had the individual not had direct and easy access to a weapon used solely for killing.
A change needs to be made.
To save lives, enforce actual safety and end the stereotype that the world knows about America. I want that change. I want that change for myself, for the lives already lost, for the lives it will save and for the state of mind of parents who worry every day on if their goodbye in the morning was their last. And it is a change I am willing to fight for.
