Sometimes I imagine having an average day, nothing different from any other day, where all of a sudden I hear the P.A. announcement that drops my stomach, making it hard to breathe. Fear sets into my mind as I look around and see my classmates in shock, and the imaginary scenario unfolds. We have three options: run, hide or fight. But all situations could have the same end result. As I walk into school every morning, I wonder if this is the last time. I simply cannot be the only one.
For many, death is a hard subject to wrap their heads around. This year, Florida became the 26th state to allow open carry on permit-less guns. This means that residents are legally allowed to have a gun on them without a permit at any time. This not only makes it easier for someone to quickly brandish their firearm, but it also endangers the public if the gun is not properly secured and handled. Many have to plan funerals for their loved ones who have been shot and killed. Families miss their fathers and mothers because of someone's reckless intentions. We can stop this from happening. We can end the sorrow of our communities. If we all take part, we can end gun violence.
According to Wisevoter, an organization focused on providing relevant information to American voters, there are 120.5 guns per 100 people, or a whopping 399,939,500 guns in the United States. Guns are heavily present in our society, and they are in the hands of both adults and children, used for defense and for slaughter. Many ignore the subject of gun control because they disagree with the thought of our government controlling the countless murders and atrocities that guns cause. As a society, though, we can no longer wait for a call to action. Yesterday's tragedy is topped by tomorrow's massacre, and today’s loss is tomorrow's forgotten. I am tired of hearing about the countless murders across the country, and it makes me wonder how people can be so despicable and heartless to other humans.
With the increase of open-carry and permitless-carry laws in the U.S. comes an increase in the fear that this could happen to anyone at any time. Countless lives are taken every day due to gun violence. According to gun injury data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, more Americans – 48,830 individuals – died of gun-related injuries in 2021 than in any other year on record, and about 81% of all murders in the U.S. during that year involved a firearm.
In turn, because of all this violence and more access to guns, many students don’t feel safe at school. People don't feel safe going to events with large crowds such as sports games and concerts. The American Psychological Association found in 2019 that nearly 80% of adults in the U.S. experience stress as a result of the possibility of mass shootings, and many of them said they avoid going to certain places and events due to the fear of mass shootings. People call out for help every day to stop the violence, but our government keeps making it easier and easier to buy guns instead.
If we want change, we can't just hide. We have to fight for our safety. It is clear that our elected officials on both sides of the aisle neglect our safety, as many Republican lawmakers often reject stricter gun laws, and many Democrats’ campaign promises to help end gun violence are yet to be acted on. ABC News reported that many Democratic lawmakers have attempted gun reforms that are mainly focused on assault-style weapons, while Republican lawmakers focus their attention on social issues like social reform.
By allowing open-carry and permit-less carry we are not only allowing a shoot-first culture, but we are actually showing this to the younger generations as a way to live. As someone who has seen open carry not being used responsibly, it is scary. Guns are meant to induce bodily harm, and yet our government is making it easier for people to access these weapons. If there is no call to action by our elected officials, we must protest and stand as one to gain gun control laws.
Complete gun control is not impossible, but the chances of a completely gunless America is slim to none. Still, we as a society should elect officials who will fight to get rid of these open-carry laws. We can start off by making it necessary for all gun owners to have a gun permit. Secondly, ban all open-carry concealed permits. Thirdly, start creating deeper background checks. Not just background checks that barely scrape the surface, but those that look at all arrests, all reported problems and all police calls to an address. Fourth, set contracts with gun owners stating that the only time a gun should be used is in a life or death situation. Fifth, abolish any and all stand-your-ground laws, as they account for too many shootings each year. As a society we can elect officials who will pass these laws and regulations to create a much safer society for us.
America is built on differing opinions, but one thing all Americans want is to feel safe and feel comfortable in public, not fearing for their lives. If we can get laws passed that make it harder for people to get ahold of guns, the fear of mass shootings may decline, people may feel less tense while attending events with larger crowds and students may feel safer in their schools. We all need to come together to fight for gun control. It may eventually save our lives.