Just yesterday, a man with an assault rifle entered a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, taking the lives of 10 innocent people. At this moment, his motives remain unclear, but does it even matter? Absolutely not. There is no justification for someone walking into a grocery store and unleashing gunfire. We can no longer allow mass shootings to occur in this country. It’s high time for those in power to take gun control seriously—enough is enough. How many more lives must be lost before action is taken?
One silver lining during the pandemic was the decrease in mass shootings. Think about it: How many incidents occurred in 2020? That’s right—very few. With people staying home, this tragic trend took a temporary pause. But as the world begins to reopen and with a new administration in place, gun control must be part of the national conversation once again. It’s clear that this issue is resurfacing, and while the pandemic remains a priority, we must also focus on gun control, as the threat is escalating quickly.
According to a CNN report, there have been seven mass shootings since March 16th—seven. Thankfully, many of these incidents resulted in fewer casualties. However, at least six mass shootings this year have involved four or more deaths, including tragedies in Atlanta and Denver. If this isn’t enough reason to address gun control seriously, then what is? The government needs to act now, especially with summer approaching and vaccination rates increasing. More people will be out and about, making them vulnerable to those with access to assault weapons.
Senator Ryan Edwards announced in a committee meeting that he plans to reintroduce legislation from 2013 aimed at strengthening background checks. This proposed law would target “violent criminals,” felons, fugitives, and those with serious mental health issues to prevent them from obtaining firearms. However, he insists that “law-abiding citizens” should still have access to guns. “If you want to stop these murders, go after the murderers,” he stated. However, Democrats appropriately stalled that 2013 legislation, realizing that Edwards’ proposal doesn’t address the core issue.
Many individuals who commit mass shootings do not have a history of violence. For instance, if you look up the Boulder shooter, you won’t find an extensive criminal record. So far, we know of two encounters with law enforcement—one for misdemeanor assault and another for criminal mischief—but it’s unclear if he faced any convictions. Without a conviction, he would not be in the system, meaning he could legally purchase a gun under Edwards’ proposed law.
Mental health is often cited as a factor in these tragedies. However, how many shooters actually have a diagnosed mental illness? Furthermore, how do we ethically assess someone’s mental health status? If mental illness is to be part of the gun control discussion, how can we ensure individuals’ medical histories remain confidential? Using mental health as a criterion for gun ownership could further stigmatize those who struggle with these issues, which is dangerous and counterproductive.
As for fugitives obtaining weapons, if someone is running from the law, they are unlikely to pursue legal avenues to acquire firearms. They won’t stroll into a gun store to admit their recent crimes. I’ve seen enough movies to know this is how it works. So, it’s baffling that a senator could be so out of touch.
The shooter in the Pulse Nightclub incident was on an FBI watchlist before the attack and still managed to acquire an AR-15. What is the point of such a watchlist if individuals can still access military-grade weapons? Why should civilians even have access to these kinds of firearms? What legitimate reason could someone have for needing to “defend” themselves with such a weapon? Given the size of an AR-15, casually carrying it around is impractical. Anyone possessing such a weapon likely has harmful intentions. There is no reason anyone outside of military professionals should have access to firearms capable of mass destruction.
The most frustrating aspect of the gun control debate is the misconception that people will lose all their firearms. While I personally advocate for a complete ban on guns, even just restricting access to the most dangerous ones would be a step in the right direction. The real challenge lies in determining who can legally purchase guns and what kinds they can obtain. Military-style weapons have no place in civilian hands.
Currently, the gun reform bill passed by the House includes a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. In a speech addressing the Boulder shooting, President Biden urged the Senate to act decisively. “This should not be a partisan issue. It’s an American issue,” he said. “It can save lives. We have to act.” This legislation also aims to close loopholes in background checks, but with an evenly split Senate, it’s uncertain how the vote will go. However, it’s clear that immediate action is necessary.
During a recent press conference, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki mentioned that the administration is considering executive actions on gun control. “We are evaluating various approaches, including legislation and executive actions to address not just gun safety measures but violence in our communities,” Psaki stated from Air Force One. While not the ideal method to implement gun control, it might be President Biden’s best chance to make progress. We cannot afford to lose more lives simply because some individuals feel entitled to their firearms.
For further insights on related topics, check out our other blog posts, including one on home insemination. Also, for more information on fertility issues, refer to this article on fertility boosters for men, which is a great resource. Additionally, you can learn more about in vitro fertilization, an excellent guide for those seeking pregnancy and home insemination.
Search Queries:
- gun control legislation 2023
- impact of mass shootings on society
- how to advocate for gun reform
- mental health and gun violence
- best practices for gun ownership
In summary, we are at a critical juncture regarding gun control in the U.S. Recent mass shootings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reform. While discussions around background checks and mental health are ongoing, the focus must remain on preventing access to military-style weapons. Action needs to be taken now to protect our communities.
Leave a Reply