It is time we pull the trigger on the war on guns. It is absurd that our peers are wreaking havoc with weapons. The news frequently covers murder stories, but the most recent North Carolina school shooting is another inexcusable story of oversights in gun restrictions. On September 30, in Anderson, South Carolina, “a 14-year-old boy was charged as juvenile with murder and attempted murder Friday, two days after he is accused of open fire on a kindergarten class heading outside for recess,” published USA Today newspaper. After only reading the first line of this article, I was shocked to learn a teen can bear arms and fire at a school. I believe the right to bear arms is for a defensive power and never should be used offensively.
“In the United States alone there were 372 mass shootings in 2015, killing 475 people and wounding 1,870,” stated the BBC at the beginning of this year. It also published that the total number of guns in the United States is thought to be 300 million, held by about a third of the population. That is nearly enough guns for every man, woman and child in the country to possess or gain access to. These astounding facts shock the nation and should bring a call to action. Imagine your child put in harm’s way at recess on the average school day. It is possible to have a lesser gun population and more safety for our world.
Furthermore, guns are very accessible yet there are little restrictions for the general public to purchase guns. The results of many mass murders show that mental illness can be linked to gun privileges. While many articles blame mass shootings on mental illness or physiological disorders, we should place stricter gun laws on all citizens. According to the Institute for Legislative Action as of 2016, most states allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms. In addition to a written application to own a firearm, we should require a background check among other mental and financial exams before authorizing firearms to the general public. This relates to accessibility and the fact that a home examination should be conducted on each customer. Many present-day murder issues stem from firearm accessibility in the home.
The general public should draw conclusions and proceed with action that guns need to be regulated and distributed with caution. We need to protect our future selves, children and generations to come against gun laws and restrictions.