Everyone seems to be discussing it, so let’s dive in.
I would take a bullet for your child, dear parent. As I pen these words, I find myself emotional, imagining my own 8-month-old playing nearby. I would do anything to protect your child; I love them, and you have placed your trust in me with what matters most to you. I would give my life to keep your child safe, but this shouldn’t be the reality we face.
We conduct lockdown drills and follow established protocols. However, what good is a locked door against someone armed with a gun? It only signals that a classroom is hiding inside. Stifled cries of fear, fervent prayers, and panic ensue. I believe that every teacher has their personal plan for a lockdown. Are there closets big enough? Can we barricade the door with furniture? Can we escape out the windows into the woods?
Instead of preparing for such a dreadful event, why don’t we focus on preventing it altogether? Let’s examine our gun laws. Is there truly any reason for someone to possess an automatic weapon? Just because they desire one? Well, I want to live. I want my 33 students to survive. I want my little one to attend school in the future… and thrive. Why should your right to bear arms overshadow my life?
“Guns don’t kill people; people kill people,” they say. But what if these troubled individuals couldn’t access the means to take down multiple lives in seconds? Even if they chose to commit an atrocious act, wouldn’t it be wiser to restrict the extent of their hatred and their firepower? Perfection is unattainable. There will always be tragedies. But isn’t watching these horrific incidents unfold without taking action just as unacceptable as ignoring bullying?
“I have the right to bear arms.” What do you need firearms for? Protection? If you must have one, how about opting for a handgun? It’s unlikely you’ll encounter 25 home invaders at once. If you ever do, your chances of survival are slim, regardless of the guns you possess. They might be armed as well — and likely outnumber you. For leisure? Try using a regular rifle at a target. I’m sure there are other ways to have fun, but I can assure you, owning a semi-automatic rifle isn’t necessary.
“The Constitution guarantees it!” Does it? Does it specify our right to possess mass-shooting weapons? I’m pretty sure those didn’t even exist back then. Should we also be allowed to buy grenade launchers as long as we have an ID? That seems absurd, doesn’t it? So does owning an AR-15. No civilian requires such a weapon.
“Drugs are illegal, and that hasn’t stopped dealers!” While that’s a valid point, I imagine it has significantly curtailed the number of individuals choosing to deal drugs. It has made them less accessible. You don’t stroll into Walmart with your driver’s license to grab a bag of cocaine alongside your groceries. Once again, does that sound crazy? Yes, but so does buying an assault rifle at Walmart. Making it illegal wouldn’t eliminate access, but it would make it more difficult, and that’s progress.
This is the direction we need to take — one where we see fewer hashtags of thoughts and prayers. Fewer psychological evaluations of shooters done only after the fact. Fewer articles detailing the warning signs displayed by these individuals. Fewer systemic failures.
I attended a college where a mass shooting occurred. One of my classmates lost her life. She had been an Army contractor, but her parents wished for her to have a safer career. She was pursuing a degree in elementary education. It was tragic that what should have been a safer path ultimately led to her demise. Sadly, this danger looms over educators everywhere.
Returning home, I held my baby a little tighter. I will go into the classroom next week and embrace my students. I will feel anxious each time the alert system lights flash, but I won’t show it. We’ll follow our drill procedures, hoping they take them seriously, while not truly grasping what it entails. My first graders say, “in case there’s a bad guy,” and that’s all I want them to comprehend.
I don’t want my 6-year-old students returning home thinking, “I made it through another day at school. I didn’t die today.” We must do better for them. What matters more — your right to own a weapon or the safety of a child? Reflect on that, America.
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In summary, we must confront the reality of gun violence and prioritize the safety of our children over the right to bear arms. It’s crucial to rethink our approach and strive for a world where children can attend school without fear for their lives.
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