It's Time For Us To Pull The Trigger On Gun Violence Prevention Legislation | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

It's Time For Us To Pull The Trigger On Gun Violence Prevention Legislation

I, for one, have had enough of the shootings.

5
It's Time For Us To Pull The Trigger On Gun Violence Prevention Legislation
Raki Halder

It seems that every week comes new horror. The fact of the matter is that we now have to use qualifiers to talk about massacres that occurred even in the past year, or you won’t know if I’m referring to 50 people dying in a nightclub in Orlando, 12 police officers being shot by a sniper in Dallas, or the husband-wife team who killed fourteen people at a holiday party in San Bernardino. Our flags are nearly never flying at full height, so it hardly strikes us now when they are at half-staff. National uproar about tragic, horrific deaths has become status quo, but this national uproar has yet to change a thing.

People against gun violence prevention legislation argue that terrorists and criminals will find a way to attack no matter if they can get guns or not. They claim that the Second Amendment leaves no room for gun violence prevention legislation. They fear that with this legislation, law-abiding citizens will lose their access to guns, or even have their guns “taken away.”

But that is not what is being argued in Congress. Advocates of gun violence prevention legislation are advocating just that: ways to reduce gun violence. This means getting rid of sites like ArmsList, which facilitate the sales of guns from one civilian to another- set up a meeting in a parking lot, exchange cash, and then drive away with a gun, no background check needed. It means extending common sense to background check procedures, addressing issues like the concern that people who have been designated as dangerous enough to warrant a “no fly” label can still buy guns with no impediments. None of this legislation goes against the Second Amendment for multiple reasons, but most simply this: the Second Amendment doesn’t say that everyone should be able to get a gun, it says that anyone should.

By not passing gun violence prevention, our country has let us down. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan refused to even hold a vote about gun control, despite demands for a vote and even a sit-in staged in the Capitol building. The sit-in ended, with no vote. And here we are months later, and still no vote. There have been many, many more shootings since then, and still no vote.

We have to do more than expect better from our country. We need to stand and demand from Congress “how dare we say that we’ll just give this a moment and then we’re going to go on to business as usual” (Congresswoman Louise Slaughter). How dare we not pass legislation preventing this violence. How dare we not even give this legislation a chance. How dare we let this keep on happening. How dare we.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less
man working on a laptop
Pexels

There is nothing quite like family.

Family is kinda like that one ex that you always find yourself running back to (except without all the regret and the angsty breakup texts that come along with it).

Keep Reading...Show less
bored kid
Google Images

No matter how long your class is, there's always time for the mind to wander. Much like taking a shower or trying to fall asleep, sitting in a classroom can be a time when you get some of your best ideas. But, more than likely, you're probably just trying to mentally cope with listening to a boring lecturer drone on and on. Perhaps some of the following Aristotle-esque thoughts have popped into your head during class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Advice To Live By As Told By Bob's Burgers

The Belchers hold the key to a better life.

1277
Bob's Burgers
Adult Swim

Bob's Burgers is arguably one of the best and most well-written shows on tv today. That, and it's just plain hilarious. From Louise's crazy antics to Tina's deadpan self-confidence, whether they are planning ways to take over school or craft better burgers, the Belchers know how to have fun. They may not be anywhere close to organized or put together, but they do offer up some wise words once and awhile.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments