The mass
shooting that took place in the Navy yard in D.C. last week sparked much debate
on the topic of gun control. There was a memorial service held for the 12
innocent victims that lost their lives. President Obama, the first lady,
numerous military leaders, and Washington Mayor Vincent Gray attended and spoke
at the memorial service expressing their deepest sympathy to the victim’s
families. All of the speakers avoided the topic of gun control except for Mayor
Vincent Gray. The mayor expressed his opinion for there to be forceful action
taken on the distribution of guns in this country.
On
Saturday night, President Obama first spoke of this issue since the shooting at
a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation dinner. He expressed his opinion and
the necessity to push the gun control legislation that has been still in senate
since the elementary school shooting in Connecticut that killed 20 children and
6 faculty members. President Obama stated that when it comes to gun violence,
we are the most brutal countries compared to the other advanced nations. Obama
stated, “What’s different in America is it’s easy to get your hands on a gun.”
15 out of the 25 worst mass shootings in the last 50 years took place in the
United States. In the year 2013, there have been 16 mass shootings killing 78
people. This is becoming an inevitable problem in this country and more and
more frequent. Obama stated, “Sometimes I fear there is a creeping resignation
that these tragedies are just somehow the way it is, that this is somehow the
new normal. We cannot accept this.” President Obama also noted that politics
and laws are not frozen; they can change at any time. It is our duty as
American people to make this change happen.
Stricter
gun laws should be put into place. This country is experiencing more and more
gun violence and mass shootings than ever before. It is proven that states with stricter gun
control are less violent than others. The second amendment does state that it
is our right as American citizens to purchase and own guns; however, recent
tragedies have proven that guns have gotten into the wrong hands. Americans
still should have the right to own guns, but there should be more intensive
background checks on those who wish to own one. Those who were killed at the
Navy yard walked into work on Monday, not thinking it would be their last day
on earth. They did not know that they had seen their families or friends for
the last time. They were innocent people who were murdered in cold blood. We need to prevent incidents like this before
they happen. The American people have to take a stand on gun control. Hopefully
this will keep guns out of the hands of criminals and people of violent nature
and save the lives of innocent people.
No comments:
Post a Comment