Every single day, there is one person that is a victim of gun violence. 321 people are shot daily, 111 of those are killed, and somehow we still choose to protect guns over lives. Kids are scared, and I am one of those frightened teenagers. As a student, reading the news about how another school was attacked, or how many fatalities there were because of a shooting, I react with terror. In 2022 there have been more mass shootings than days. We haven’t gone a single day this entire year without a loss.
My fears feel more real when my school makes us practice drills for events that are likely to happen. As I am packed in a closet with my peers, I think to myself, who let this happen? Who is responsible for teaching me how to survive an active shooter attack. School has taught me to read, write, and math… but it seems to be more important to learn how to hide.
When I enter a new room, it’s my natural response to figure out an evacuation plan. This is not only me, when talking to my friends we have discussed several times what we would do in this scenario, or which classroom would be the safest in case of a shooting. We debated where we would be safest, “Band and Choir are the best, with thick walls and heavy doors”. “Science, it’s easy to sneak out the window and run towards the street.” Our lunch table talks revolve around survival, not gossip or crushes but survival. The saddest part is we see this as something completely normal.
Students in the United States are subjected to mass violence every month. This is why leaders like Emma Gonzalez have inspired movements like March for Our Lives. A change is necessary. This movement has spread throughout the country for a reason. The youth of America knows what they want; a safe environment where they can learn and feel stimulated and challenged instead we have an unsafe space. Rather than focusing on studying, students must also learn an evacuation plan for every possible armed shooter scenario. Schools are for learning, not lockdown. After the Columbine shooting, we said, “No more”. More than 311,000 students have experienced gun violence in school. We need to stop giving thoughts and prayers because the harsh reality is that those will not save kids from an assault rifle.
How is it possible, as a United States citizen, someone can buy a murder weapon without any questions asked? This seems absolutely outrageous. Background checks are sparse, allowing anyone to purchase a deadly weapon. Solidifying background checks won’t be enough; what will truly work is gun licensing. Studies show that states adopting gun policy have diminished murders and suicides. It’s only a thorough background check and a reliable process that will keep guns away from those that intend to cause harm.Students ignited the movement, but now, policymakers have to hear us. We’ve had enough condolences; let’s start with policy and change.
Understandably, it is a right for one to own a gun, but the Constitution was written when our founding fathers resolved their issues with a duel. Thomas Jefferson stated that the Constitution should be rewritten every 19 years, but it has stayed the same since 1787. 235 years without reform, prioritizing the amendment over lives. Times have changed, nowadays we are in a crisis and in need to repeal the Second Amendment. It must be done.
Just ask yourself, who has to be killed by a firearm, so you support gun control? How many more lives until a change? No child should have to fear a bullet. Protect us, protect kids, stop protecting guns.