Devastated. Outraged. Heartbroken. Watching the videos posted on Twitter by survivors of such a horrific shooting invoked these three emotions within me. I couldn’t keep scrolling through Twitter acting like it was another normal day, like so many others were. But it sadly was just another normal day; since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting there have been at least 239 school shootings nationwide.
With America averaging about five school shootings each month, no other nation has such horrifying statistics. So, why have school shootings seemingly become an aspect of American culture? While I don’t believe I’ll ever understand how school shootings have become so popular, I believe there are serious steps that need to be taken to insure this can’t happen again.
This debate is highly polarized with Democrats urging for more gun restrictions and Republicans blaming mental health and arguing to arm individuals heavier. Almost immediately after this shooting, the hatred between Democrats and Republicans came pouring out in the media. Personally, I feel Republicans have let this happen and continue to support the NRA for personal goals instead of public safety.
While many people will disagree with me, especially at Texas A&M, the proof is in the laws that have been Republican-backed. For example, in February of 2018 Mr. Trump signed a bill into law ending regulations which made it harder for mentally ill individuals to purchase a gun. Furthermore, this month Mr. Trump released his 2019 budget proposal which includes $668 million cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). If Republicans are so concerned with mental health, then why would they cut money to SAMHSA, which works to improve the quality and availability for individuals suffering from mental illnesses to receive treatment and rehabilitative services? For Republicans to state that the cause of school shootings is mental illness, they better put their money, and actions, where their mouth is. They can’t make it both easier for individuals with mental illnesses to legally purchase guns and make it harder for these individuals to receive quality treatment.
The last argument of Republicans argues that more individuals carrying guns will deter such violence, but that is not scientifically supported. There are many articles and studies from websites such as “The Washington Post” and “Scientific America” that prove that more gun ownership leads to higher murder rates and does not deter crime. Higher gun regulations lead to less murder and violent crimes since it’s harder to obtain a gun in the first place. While I am not arguing in any way to take all guns away, I do believe that mandatory background checks and not allowing individuals with mental illnesses to buy guns would greatly lower America’s violence rates.
Most importantly, Democrats and Republicans must stop polarizing themselves and come together to discuss bipartisan reforms to make America safer, whether they decide to pass gun restrictions or give mental health patients more resources for treatment. Coming together in this time of crisis is essential for action to occur and America to heal. Spreading love in a time of heartbreak is vital to show all those who have been affected by school shootings and other mass shootings that they are not forgotten, are important, and will be heard.