This week, one of the greatest tragedies happened in Orlando, Florida. To me, the incomprehensible loss of 49 innocent lives and the irreversible damage to the survivors, the families of the victims and the entire LGBTQ+ community is not something represents an unforgivable failure in public policy.

The innocent patrons of the Pulse Nightclub will have to live with the repercussions of this vile hate crime forever because background checks and current gun control policies failed to protect their basic right to safety. These victims and their families have had their lives and peace of mind stolen from them. There is no way to bring back those who senselessly lost their lives that night, nor from any other mass shooting. And it would have been almost impossible for the Orlando shooter to have killed 50 people in that amount of time if he were not carrying a legally obtained semi-automatic weapon.

It was an unforgivable failure on the part of the government that someone on the FBI’s terror watch list could legally obtain a powerful killing machine. I am disturbed that even someone who had previously exhibited signs of dangerous and violent behavior could have passed that background check. Clearly, the current policy on obtaining firearms must be revised. The second amendment may grant individuals the right to carry arms, but this right ends when it destroys the safety, happiness and health of other citizens.

I understand that some people may prefer to carry weapons and I would not have a problem with this choice if it did not infringe on my right to feel safe in public spaces. I would be fine with civilians carrying firearms if this did not assist in over 350 mass shootings in 2015 alone. While I respect the free choice of other Americans to carry firearms, I also firmly believe that every human being is entitled to the right to live. I encourage everyone to really research the stance of public officials on gun control and new legislation being introduced about this topic.

This is an issue that affects the lives and safety of every American and the tragedy in Orlando should not be ignored or forgotten.