Yesterday, a man with an assault rifle stormed a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, taking the lives of 10 individuals. At this moment, his motives remain unknown, but does that really matter? Absolutely not. There is no justification for a person to walk into a grocery store and open fire. We cannot allow such tragedies to continue occurring in our country. It is high time for those in power to take gun control seriously—enough is enough. How many more lives must be lost before action is taken?
One unexpected consequence of COVID-19 and the restrictions on public gatherings was a notable decrease in mass shootings. Reflect on 2020: how many incidents did we hear about? Exactly. With people staying home, mass shootings were significantly reduced. Now that public life is slowly returning to normal and with a new administration in office, it’s crucial that gun control becomes a central topic of discussion again. As we see the potential for increased public gatherings, we must prepare for the resurgence of gun violence.
According to a CNN report, there have been seven mass shootings since March 16th. SEVEN. While a few of the recent incidents resulted in fewer fatalities, there have still been multiple shootings this year with four or more deaths, including those in Atlanta and Denver. If that isn’t a compelling reason to have a serious conversation about gun control, I don’t know what is. The government needs to act swiftly. With summer approaching and vaccinations increasing, more people will be out and about, making them potential victims of individuals armed with assault weapons. We shouldn’t accept this as the norm.
In a committee meeting on gun control, Senator Ted Cruz announced his intention to reintroduce legislation from 2013 aimed at strengthening background checks. This legislation targets “violent criminals,” felons, fugitives, and individuals with serious mental illness, aiming to prevent them from obtaining firearms. However, he still wants “law-abiding citizens” to retain their gun rights. “If you want to stop these murders, go after the murderers,” he stated. Yet, Democrats previously blocked this 2013 legislation, recognizing that it fails to address the core issues at hand.
Most mass shooters do not have extensive criminal records. For instance, the Boulder shooter had only two prior interactions with law enforcement: one for third-degree assault and another for criminal mischief, both of which are minor offenses. If he was never convicted, he wouldn’t be in the system, meaning Cruz’s proposed legislation would not prevent him from purchasing a gun.
Mental health is frequently cited as a factor in mass shootings, but how many perpetrators actually have diagnosed mental illnesses? Moreover, how can we ethically access someone’s medical history to determine their mental health status? Relying on mental illness as a reason for gun control could further stigmatize those who struggle with these challenges. The vast majority of individuals with mental health issues are not violent. Associating them with mass shootings is harmful and misleading.
As for fugitives obtaining weapons, if someone is evading law enforcement, they are unlikely to pursue legal means to acquire a gun. They’re not going to stroll into a gun store and admit to recent crimes. History has shown that watchlists don’t prevent access to firearms; the shooter in the Pulse nightclub incident was on the FBI’s radar yet still managed to obtain an AR-15. Why are such weapons even accessible to civilians? What legitimate need do individuals have for military-grade firearms?
The most frustrating aspect of the gun control debate is the perception that individuals will lose all their guns. While I advocate for strict restrictions, even just limiting access to the most lethal weapons would be a step in the right direction. The current House bill includes a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. In light of the Boulder shooting, President Biden urged the Senate to take decisive action. “This is not — it should not be — a partisan issue. This is an American issue,” he emphasized, noting that it will save lives.
In a recent press conference, White House press secretary Jen Psaki mentioned that the administration is considering various measures, including executive actions, to tackle gun safety and violence in communities. While not the ideal route, it may be the best option available to achieve progress.
We cannot afford to lose more lives due to inaction on gun control.
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In summary, gun violence is a pressing issue that demands urgent action. We must confront the reality of gun control in our society and advocate for measures that can prevent further tragedies. The time for change is now.