"'The Voice' star Christina Grimmie has died after she was shot at a Florida concert venue while signing autographs for fans following a show" ~ ABC News
"Orlando shooting: 49 killed, shooter pledges ISIS allegiance" ~ CNN News
"Man killed in shooting at Mattapan barbershop" ~ WHDH News Boston
These are only three of the heartbreaking, violence-fueled headlines that appeared across the internet last week. The alarming abundance in shootings across the United States has sparked controversy within the American people.
While some believe guns are a necessary part of society, many feel uncomfortable at the easy access citizens have to dangerous firearms.
According to the FBI, a record number of background checks were completed in September 2015. These checks lead the bureau to figure about 1.76 million guns were sold in September alone.
The most recent mass shooting in Orlando, FL left 49 dead and 53 wounded. The shooter was identified as Omar Mateen. Previously Mateen had been questioned by the FBI, who believed he had potential ties to terrorist groups. Mateen also had a history of domestic violence.
Despite this, Mateen was still able to purchase weapons in the United States. Mateen is not the first questionable person to slip through the cracks of the background check process.
YouTube star, Christina Grimmie, was shot dead by fan Kevin Loibl while signing autographs after a show in Florida. Like Mateen, Loibl also had a history of violence and domestic abuse.
Under the second amendment of the constitution, United States citizens posses the right to "keep and bear arms." However, at only 164 days into 2016, the country has already suffered 133 mass shootings. If our Second Amendment right is not modernized based on the past six months, there is no reason to believe these senseless shootings will stop.
With guns sales at an all time high, the risk for more shootings are higher than ever. Whether you support gun laws or not, we should all advocate for the safety and well-being of our fellow Americans.
Tragedy has its way of bringing communities together. The devastating and senseless losses of several people over the past week will be grieved deeply by people all over the world.
However, trending hashtags, thoughts and prayers will not prevent further catastrophe from the same cause if changes are not made.
How many more schools, movie theaters, houses of faith or nightclubs will become the target of hateful gun violence?
As parents, sons, daughters, grandparents and human beings, we owe it to those who have lost loved ones to gun violence to fix now what they couldn't before.
In loving memory of those we lost to senseless acts of violence.
Stay Golden, Kayla
