Triggered | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Triggered

Gun violence in America.

10
Triggered
Hollywood Journal

"'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


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

84300
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

10552
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments