Gun control column- PRO GUN CONTROL/ LEFTIST POV

Opinion piece
“THE FIRST STEP TO STOPPING GUN MASSACRES”

`Gun control. At this point, it seems almost everything needed to be said on the issue- has been
said. With the American gun epidemic constantly on the rise and the presence of gun violence
always looming over local and national news, politicians, regular citizens and students alike
have been faced with a dilemma which seems to never find its solution.

On the political spectrum, whilst one side pleads for more gun safety laws to be enacted, the
other side stands proudly contradicting with demands of more gun accessibility, with a coined
motto of “taking down a bad guy with a gun, with a good guy with a gun”.

But the dialogue I plan to take on is, to defeat the narrative that stands in between- “that
nothing can be done.”

Often right after armed rifle massacres, there is always a growing argument from rightwing
politicians and pro-gun activists in this country. “It’s too early to talk about gun laws”, and “The
left should stop utilizing the death of innocent people to push their agenda” and the most
iconic of them all “thoughts and prayers”.

This is not true. It wasn’t and isn’t too early to talk about gun regulations- its too late.

The idea perpetuated that guns aren’t responsible for gun violence is so toxic to the solution. It
is constantly driving progress backwards and is often the direct reason used in protecting guns
over lives.

The idea of prioritizing safety too often is manipulated into disarming Americans as well- when
in reality its ideas the general armed American would agree with. A 19 year old shouldn’t be
able to purchase a military grade weapon before being able to consume alcohol. It is common
sense laws that have been manipulated by those who make profit off the sales of the guns-
those who profit over the blood spilt of children and adults alike.

So with that, I leave it be here. The first AND only solution to this problem that has taken too
many lives is facing it up front.

Globally mental health is an issue.

Globally violent video games and media is presented.

Globally, guns infiltrate music and television.

But only in America- are constant mass shootings a prominent issue. Guns are the issue and
unless the people who represent us take this problem head on and don’t fear talking about
guns in order to keep their pockets lined with blood stained NRA donations, gun massacres will
continue happen and take countless lives.