Anger, Confusion And Sadness: What To Do About Guns? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Anger, Confusion And Sadness: What To Do About Guns?

It's a shame that our second amendment is being interpreted in such a way that it allows for its antithesis.

266
Anger, Confusion And Sadness: What To Do About Guns?
NBC News//YouTube

Preventing gun violence is not a partisan issue. Allowing the slaughter of our children is not up for debate. Our lack of unity in the wake of recent events is unfathomable. We need legitimate cross-party dialogue now. I can't stop asking myself...WHERE IS IT?

The other night, as I began writing a letter to Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson, I have never been so unsure of where to begin. I am rarely one to be at a loss for words, but currently, I, along with countless other Americans, feel utterly silenced in the face of recent events. I acknowledge that many people are firm proponents of the second amendment, which I understand and respect. However, there is a major flaw in how this amendment is being interpreted. The amendment states the right to keep "a well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state." I, personally, neglect to understand how anything regarding our current gun laws constitute "well regulated." The laws enumerated by the Gun Control Act of 1968 are vague, and therefore, contain easy loopholes. The NICS (current system in use), or the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, is only able to check criminal records, and fails to take any mental health records into account. Additionally, these checks are not by any means thorough. As long as a denial does not ensue within three days of the background check's request, the individual may purchase a firearm, although the check may have not fully completed.

I understand the desire to uphold one's constitutional rights, and I understand why this amendment was initially created: to grant civilians the ability to bear arms in the case they longer receive adequate protection from their government. Created in 1787, ratified in 1788, with the Bill of Rights added in 1791, our constitution is nowhere near up to date with modern society. Our Founding Fathers are well-known for warning us about the threat of the cursed two-party system (go figure), but they also warned us about interpretations of the constitution. Despite their insistence on abiding by the constitution as our most sacred and important text, they acknowledged their inevitable inability to entirely foresee our country's future. James Wilson, one of our Founding Fathers, said, "The first and governing maxim in the interpretation of a statute is to discover the meaning of those who made it." When the second amendment was created, I am almost positive the right to bear arms was not given to the American people to allow the gruesome and inhumane bloodshed of our young and innocent. And even less, I don't think our Founding Fathers believed that the majority of civilians would be fit to own a gun, hence the use of the term "well regulated." We are meant to view these laws, that were written in a completely different era, with a critical and discerning eye. It is not a conflict of ideals to support both the basic principles of 2A and to support more responsible gun ownership in our country. Based on Wilson's sentiments, we need to adjust and reestablish the meaning of the constitution based on the original intent of the law, which, in this case, was to ensure public security and safety. It's a shame that our second amendment is being interpreted in such a way that it allows for its antithesis.

I understand that gun control would not alleviate the ever-present black market for gun sales, and that criminal and mentally ill people would still find a way to obtain their guns illegally. The thought of a world where law-abiding civilians have no access to guns, and consequently, anyone else does, is a horrifying thought. On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, there are tremendous flaws in our current manner of evaluating prospective gun owners on their pasts. The system has proven time and time again to be fallacious, as the majority of guns used in mass shootings have been purchased legally. Ideally, with common sense gun reform, trained, law-abiding citizens would not have to worry about having their guns taken from them. The government cannot control what is done in the secrecy of the black market, but they can control the easy accessibility of guns to the common, unfit person. Making guns harder to obtain for an unfit person makes it harder for an unfit person to get their hands on a gun. Cause and effect. Period. This won't prevent all dangerous people from getting a gun, of course, but it is merely factual that it would prevent shootings from occurring at the magnificent frequency we are experiencing today. Cause and effect. Civilians have access to military-style and military-grade, automatic and semi-automatic weapons, created for the battlefield, with the sole purpose of mass destruction and massacre. We watch as these weapons become nothing short of an ill-regulated commodity. I am hardly advocating for anything major. I am not advocating for everyone to be stripped of their guns; I am simply advocating for basic reform.

It is beyond upsetting to see that both sides of the political totem pole can acknowledge that gun violence is a dire issue necessary for repair, yet we are going nowhere fast in regards to initiating sensible, cross-partisan dialogue. Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old in my camp community, was murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, as her friends were forced to watch her take her last breaths, as her life was ruthlessly and senselessly stolen from her. 17. This happened 17 other times that day. 17 more families, countless more friends and communities affected. Countless more lives who are forever scarred, witnessing and confronting atrocities they can never vacate from their minds. I wish this weren't a multifaceted issue. We all wish it had one quick fix. Why are we the only first-world country where this occurs regularly? Mental illness runs rampant in our country, yes, but the same can be said for the majority of developed European countries experiencing a substantially smaller number of mass shootings. Additionally, what qualifies and does not qualify as mental illness is ill-defined, creating terribly vague and poorly enforced and outlined parameters. Moreover, many are saying we should arm teachers, faculty, etc... in areas that would currently be considered "gun-free zones." My school hardly has the budget for a sufficient amount of paper, let alone the financial capabilities to effectively train and arm our staff. The idea is consistently flawed. How do we know that we are to trust the civilians that we are arming? How do we properly train the average person to distinguish a crisis situation from a non-crisis situation, and to act accordingly? How do we ensure that these guns, hypothetically existing in the same building as potentially dangerous students, would not get into the wrong hands? This is not a practical task.

I feel lost. I am writing this, admittedly, as an angry 17 year old student with no concrete answers, and merely suggestions. I struggle addressing a problem I cannot confidently answer with a list of sure-fire solutions. It was too late to start debating solutions when 13 children and teachers were killed at Columbine High School in 1999, and its far too late now. I felt compelled to write this to show my confused, impassioned, and indignant immediate and genuine response to the recent tragedy that's shrouded our country in a dark cloud. Here's what I do know: My sense of utter helplessness and not knowing how to act, become involved, and effectively participate in my democracy is an American failure of epic proportions. I know I am not only speaking for myself, but for others like me, and especially victims who have been silenced in years past, when I say I want a response. I want an actual conversation that's fueled by facts and logic and not exorbitant donations from the NRA. It seems like our efforts are futile. Its an abominable cycle of death, grief, frustration, and inaction. And that is the issue. We can't let it die down this time. Not again. I'm tired of seeing my news-feed crowded with the tortured screams of innocent children, the dismal cries of those in mourning, and desperate pleas for a change that isn't taking place.

I'm tired of stagnating. We're done turning a blind eye.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198179
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19624
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461459
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28630
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments