Gun control has been an ongoing debate for years now, but why is it even a debate? In the past week, the United States has had 2 mass shootings. In the whole year of 2021 there have been 104 mass shootings, and it is only March.

Right now it's easier to obtain a gun than get a passport, health insurance, and a driver's license, along with probably 100 other things. If somebody wants a gun, all they need to do is go to a gun store, or heck, even a Walmart, and get a simple background check. That background check can be conducted electronically in minutes; seems thorough, right? If somebody is buying a gun through a private seller, they do not even need a background check. Sure, there are other documents and licenses needed or *suggested* when buying a gun, but that clearly has not stopped any of the mass shootings. Getting my driver's license required more paperwork and I had to take a test to show I was capable of driving. People buying guns are not required to take a test proving they're capable of shooting a gun safely and properly.

Clearly, it's fairly simple to buy a gun, but that needs to be changed. I'm not saying even buying a handgun needs to be changed, although it wouldn't hurt, but how are people obtaining assault rifles in minutes? This is the known weapon of choice for mass shootings, yet nothing has changed in the ability to get one. If it were up to me, getting a gun would be a month-long process, requiring a mental health check as well.

Yesterday, March 22nd 2021, there was a mass shooting at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado. 10 people were killed, including a police officer. A grocery store of all places. I go to the grocery store weekly, my family goes probably every other week. I worked in a grocery store, multiple of my friends work in grocery stores. It could happen anywhere to anybody. We should not be afraid to go to the grocery store because our country cannot get a handle on gun control.