Just yesterday, a gunman armed with an assault rifle opened fire in a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, claiming the lives of 10 individuals. At this moment, the shooter’s motive remains unknown, but does it really matter? Absolutely not. There is no justification for such an act of violence in a place as ordinary as a grocery store. We cannot continue to tolerate mass shootings in our country. It’s high time for those in power to address gun control seriously, because enough is enough. How many more lives need to be lost before decisive action is taken?
Ironically, one silver lining from the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions was a drop in mass shootings. Reflect on this: how many incidents did we hear of in 2020? Precisely. The lack of public gatherings meant fewer tragedies. However, as we begin to reopen and a new administration takes the helm, gun control must be a priority discussion. It’s apparent that with the return to normalcy, gun violence is also making a comeback.
According to a CNN report, since March 16, there have been seven mass shootings. Yes, seven. Fortunately, many recent incidents resulted in fewer fatalities, but this year alone has seen at least six mass shootings with four or more deaths, including those in Atlanta and Denver. If these statistics don’t compel serious conversations about gun control, I don’t know what will. The government needs to act swiftly. With summer approaching and vaccinations increasing, more people will be out in public, thus raising the risk of becoming victims to those with access to assault weapons. We cannot accept this as the new normal.
During a committee meeting on gun control, Senator Tom Bennett announced plans to reintroduce a 2013 legislative proposal aimed at strengthening background checks. This legislation would target “violent criminals,” felons, fugitives, and those with severe mental health issues to prevent them from obtaining firearms. However, Bennett insists that “law-abiding citizens” should still have access to guns. “To stop these murders, we must go after the murderers,” he asserted. The 2013 legislation faced a filibuster from Democrats, who recognized that Bennett’s proposal fails to address the core of the issue.
Many individuals committing these heinous acts do not have a history of violence. Take the Boulder shooter, for instance; his prior encounters with law enforcement include a third-degree assault (a misdemeanor) and some minor criminal mischief. There’s no evidence he was ever convicted, so he wouldn’t have been flagged in the system. Thus, under Bennett’s proposal, he could legally purchase a gun, which is alarming.
Mental health is frequently cited as a factor in mass shootings, but how many perpetrators actually have a diagnosed mental illness? Moreover, how do we ethically obtain an individual’s medical history to prevent gun access? If lawmakers like Bennett wish to use mental illness as a criterion, they must clarify how this will be accomplished without violating privacy rights.
Furthermore, any measures aimed at keeping guns away from those with mental health issues could inadvertently increase stigma and create more harm than good. The overwhelming majority of individuals with mental health challenges do not resort to violence. Associating mental illness with mass shootings is not only misleading but damaging for those who struggle with such issues.
Regarding fugitives, if someone is evading law enforcement, they are unlikely to pursue legal avenues for acquiring a weapon. It’s common sense: they wouldn’t stroll into a gun shop and admit to recent crimes. It’s baffling that a senator would overlook such basic logic.
In the case of the Pulse Nightclub shooter, he was on an FBI watchlist but still managed to obtain an AR-15. What good is a watchlist if it doesn’t prevent access to military-grade weapons? Why should civilians even have access to such firearms? The very idea that someone might need an AR-15 for personal defense is absurd. The sheer size of these weapons indicates an intent to inflict harm.
The most frustrating aspect of the gun control debate is the fear surrounding gun confiscation. While I fully support stricter regulations, even limiting access to the most dangerous firearms would be a step forward. The current legislation proposed by the House includes a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. President Biden has urged the Senate to prioritize this issue, stating, “This should not be a partisan issue; it should be an American issue. It will save lives.”
Additionally, White House Press Secretary Lily Adams has mentioned that the administration is exploring executive actions to address gun safety. While not ideal, it may be the most effective path forward to enact change. We cannot afford to lose more lives because of inaction on gun control.
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In summary, the urgency for effective gun control has never been more critical. As we witness recurring tragedies, it’s crucial for our leaders to address this issue with the seriousness it demands. Lives are at stake, and we cannot wait any longer for action.
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