gun safety

It's April 20, 1999. Students arrive at Columbine High School for what would start as a normal day of school. But throughout the past several months, two students had been collecting firearms and producing explosive devices. Around 11:00 am, the attack that would lead to 13 innocent deaths, 24 additional injuries, and the suicides of both perpetrators began (Source). This day would ignite a nation-wide argument on gun control laws in the United States; an argument that has yet to cease.

Today, a gathering was attacked in San Bernadino leaving at least 14 individuals dead and many others injured (Source). This attack was not only tragic, but was likely avoidable. We've become accustomed to the news of mass shootings. The news stories have trickled across our timelines and our TV screens too many times to count. Mass shootings have become almost normal. And this is completely unacceptable.

As of October 1st, there had been 45 school shooting in the United States so far in 2015. Just school shootings. Huffington Post created a calendar showing these shootings, which is posted below. 

Add other mass shootings and that numbers increases to 352. Three hundred and fifty-five mass shootings in the United States in 2015. That is more mass shootings than days so far this year. And there are still people that don't believe that gun laws should be tightened.

I want to feel safe on my college campus. I want to feel safe going to the movies. I want to feel safe in public. But when guns are relatively accessible to the masses, it's hard to feel that way. 

Growing up in Kansas, I understand how important guns are for people. Hunting and target shooting are common sports. I'd be lying if I said I had never participated myself. And the truth is, most of the people I know who own and use guns regularly do not pose a threat to me in any way. Sometimes, knowing that someone who is responsible and stable and is also armed can even feel secure. But when those same firearms are available to irresponsible and unstable individuals, that security vanishes.

I don't want you to lose your right to bear arms. I understand the importance of the constitution. What I do want is for you to have to go through a few more steps to get to act on that right.

If you are a law-abiding, mentally stable U.S. citizen, it should not be too burdensome to pass a few more background checks or go through a training class or two in order to get a firearm. If you want it that much, you shouldn't be worried about the extra measures that need to be taken to legally attain one. Especially if it keeps weapons out of the hands of people who can cause harm in any way.

We need a system of licensing, training, and permits for guns as well. We have one for driving, we should have one for gun ownership. We need to at least try to increase the safety of our communities. I want to feel  more safe. And more restrictive guns laws can do that.