A Shot at Change
In wake of the horrific murder of 17 high school students in Florida , the topic of gun control has started trending again. People around America are calling for stricter gun laws. What does this mean exactly?
Currently in New Jersey Lawmakers are proposing laws to help with gun control. One of the laws proposed was a law that will approve smart guns, this will allow only the gun owner to be able to use the gun. Other laws will allow guns to be seized from people if a mental health specialist feels it is necessary, as well as a law that will allow restraining orders and seizure warrants due to gun violence. They are also proposing laws that will require justifiable need for the purchase of a gun as well as making it close to impossible to attain a gun that is capable of penetrating body armor. The fact that these were not already in place is concerning to me.
Even as I write this, I am unsure of which side I’m on.. I do feel like people who are mentally ill should not be able to carry guns and I do believe that people convicted of certain crimes should not be able to carry either. However, I am concerned with the possible outcomes of this whole situation.
Lawmakers have an interesting history when it comes to criminalizing things; we saw this in the 80’s with the war on drugs. The war on drugs was a campaign that gave police the power of “no - knock” warrants and mandatory minimum sentencing. Laws like these ruined a whole community of people and generations to come. If we are not careful in guiding the lawmakers into making the right decisions for everyone, something similar could happen. The funny thing about history is you can learn from it.
In my opinion everyone should be pro - change because innocent people are dying, that should be everyone's main concern. We have to start somewhere. Complaining will not get us anywhere; a only actions will bring results. Write letters, attend protests, speak to government officials! It is a problem when young children that are under the age of ten fear school shootings. So, let’s start making a difference in our schools and in our country.