Attention, Gen Z-ers: Let’s Stop Gun Violence And Rock The Vote, 2018 Style | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Attention, Gen Z-ers: Let’s Stop Gun Violence And Rock The Vote, 2018 Style

Santa Fe is the 22nd school shooting this year and praying it goes away won’t save lives.

319
Attention, Gen Z-ers: Let’s Stop Gun Violence And Rock The Vote, 2018 Style
YouTube via TODAY

The Santa Fe shooting that left 10 dead and 10 injured marks, by some counts, the 22nd school shooting in 2018. Let’s put the fact that this is completely unacceptable aside right now.

Thinking how horrible this is isn’t going to save lives. What can save lives is actually doing something about it.

That’s where Gen Z-ers come in. Call them what you want. Gen Z-ers, iGen because of their overwhelming use of technology or plurals because the majority is non-white. Whatever you call them, they have caused a serious ripple effect when it comes to gun laws.

That’s all thanks to the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who survived the February 14 shooting in Parkland. They organized March For Our Lives on March 24 in Washington D.C., with 800 other sister marches across the country to support gun reform and raise awareness of gun violence.

They started the hashtag #NeverAgain, which appears all over Twitter. In lieu of the march, they raised $3 million dollars. Half covered the expenses and the other half was given to the victims of the Parkland shooting.

They’ve affected celebrities from the likes of Mark Hamill, Mark Ruffalo, Steven Spielberg, George Clooney and Oprah Winfrey.

Despite the publicity they’ve gathered, all they have are three simple demands: pass a law banning assault weapons used in mass shootings, stopping the sale of high capacity magazines and restricting the amount of ammunition, closing loopholes in our country’s background checks and creating laws that require background checks on EVERY gun purchase.

It seems the Parkland students’ tenacity has brought the change they desired.

Oregon passed the first gun-related bill after the Parkland shooting that banned people convicted of stalking, domestic violence or those who have a restraining order from owning guns or ammunition.

Rhode Island established a “red flag” policy after the Parkland shooting that keeps guns away from people who are a threat to the public’s safety.

Florida passed a bill that requires a three-day waiting period to buy a gun and raised the age to buy a rifle to 21. Washington signed a bill banning the sale and use of bump stocks.

The Parkland students made great strides in improving our country’s gun laws, but there is still so much more to do.

In a survey released near the Santa Fe shooting this month, 57 percent of teens say they fear a shooting could happen on their campus. The fear for nonwhite teens is even greater, among 60 percent of black teens and 73 percent of Latino teens.

Santa Fe students said they felt a shooting was going to happen at their school and sadly that was the case. There are still states that haven’t had passed any bills preventing violence.

How can the Gen Z-ers, perhaps our savior generation, help that? By voting.

Yara Shahidi, who plays Zoey Johnson on ABC’s “Black-ish” has started a voting initiative called “Eighteen x 18,” which encourages Gen Z-ers like her to vote for the first time in the 2018 midterm elections and even registers people to vote online. You can find more about it here and contribute to the organization.

Come on Gen Z-ers, let’s rock this vote.

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

10 Wonderful Things About The Holidays

Some of the best things about the upcoming holiday season.

1411
christmas decoration

As the holidays approach, there are many wonderful things that start to appear. From weather to food and even to the decorations, there are so many wonderful things about the holidays.

1. Cold Weather

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

14 Thoughts Every College Student Has During Winter Break

The most common: "Is it time to go back to school yet?"

3678
nothing on to-do list

Winter break is a cherished time for many after enduring a grueling fall semester. It’s a time of relaxation and time spent with loved ones over the holidays. However, once the new year rolls around, we’re all ready to go back to school. Here are thoughts every college student has during winter break.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Little Changes You Can Make That Will Have a Big Impact On The Enviroment

Simple switches to eco-friendly habits could add up and have a positive effect on the environment!

744
flower in hand
PxHere

In the past decade, there has been a recent surge of compassion for the environment. Many people are beginning to realize how much of a negative impact their daily lives have on the environment. In case you weren't aware the average person has about four pounds of trash per day and American's make up only 5% of the world population and produce a startling 40% of the world's waste. If you care about the environment, here are some smalls changes you can make that will have a big impact!

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

5028
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments