It’s unfortunate that I have to write this. No actually, it’s heart-wrenching and horrible that I have to write this. Today – February 14, 2018, a young man walked into a high school in a South Florida town and took the lives of 17 innocent people. Unfortunately, the number of deaths is still possibly rising due to serious injuries sustained.
This is now the third deadliest mass shooting to date. According to Everytown Research, this is the 18th shooting since 2018 began – a mere 7 weeks ago. Today changed the lives of so many people for the worst. School is supposed to be a safe place for children to learn and grow. Parents shouldn’t be fearful of sending their kids to school and kids shouldn’t be afraid to go.
Enough is enough.
America is sending their “thoughts and prayers” every time there is another shooting and slowly we are becoming desensitized. Much like the other recent shootings, it will stay in the news for a few days and then most people will move on – but not the families and friends of the victims. Not the survivors. And not me.
It’s okay to send your thoughts and prayers. Please do. But actions speak much louder than words.
Most shootings like these are carried out with semi-automatic assault rifles. No one needs a semi-automatic assault rifle. It’s an indisputable fact that the majority of the Republican Party is pro-gun, or pro-second amendment. As a Democrat, we’re not trying to take guns away, we are calling for a more intense screening process and maybe getting rid of the larger, more dangerous, and catastrophic guns. Republicans statistically vote to keep looser gun control laws and subsequently many of their campaigns are funded by the NRA. This is a conflict of interest and shows that maybe our best interest isn’t what they have at heart. If you want to make a real change to gun control laws, call your legislator. Donate blood to help the victims. Donate money or your time if you can. Vote in November with the lives lost in mind.
My heart is broken for the victims, families, and survivors of today’s shooting. Their lives will never be the same. Use your voice to speak up for those who no longer can. Let’s stop this. We are powerful when we come together. #GUNCONTROLNOW