Purchasing a gun in America is too easy. In most cases, you can go to the local gun store, pick out a gun (or guns), fill out a background check, wait for a 30-second approval, and pay. The whole process takes about an hour. Each state has slight variations in its laws, for example, it’s illegal to own certain assault rifles in California, but overall, the gun-buying process is streamlined and hassle-free. Walmart and K-Mart both sell guns. They have raised the age limit from 18 to 21. By its size and geographic reach, Walmart has more than 4,000 stores spread across the United States, and it's commonly the site of crimes, some of them violent.
In 2019, after a gunman killed 23 people in a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, the company publicly urged Congress, and President Donald J. Trump to strengthen background checks and renew the debate over an assault rifle ban. That was a waste of time since the United States was being ruled by someone not interested in the issue since it didn't affect him. Year after year, these horrific events continue to occur and within a few days, the spotlight fades. It's disgusting that Congress and the administration are not taking action to help save lives. What would they do if a shooting occurred at the school of one of their children or grandchildren? Without a doubt, they would take action to pass bills, to ban assault weapons and handguns.
On January 4, 2024, the number of school shootings kicked off in the new year. As painful as it is to read the stories and watch the videos, it is not a surprise that the same actions on school campuses continue to happen. In Iowa, a 17-year-old gunman killed a sixth-grade student and injured five other people as students were arriving back to school after their winter break. The shooter, Dylan Butler died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The motive for the attack is still unknown. The killer was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small calibre handgun. How was a 17-year-old boy able to make such a purchase? He also shared several social media posts on TikTok around the time of the shooting. Looking for publicity wherever he could find it, Donald Trump sent the parents and school staff a message saying "We need to move on." He will do anything to get media coverage, regardless of how insensitive and disgusting.
Each day I fear watching or reading the news of another mass shooting. Part of our healing must be our commitment to do everything in our power to keep these tragedies from occurring in a country that faces a pandemic of gun violence. No state or city in America is safe from this act of terrorism. According to the Prevention Institute, these deaths are a predictable outcome of the United States of America's lack of political will to make a change and an underinvestment in prevention approaches that work.
During my time working in Washington, DC, one of my biggest arguments with political representatives was why is it so easy to buy a gun of any size? Several things are more difficult or time-consuming than buying a gun in America. Here is a list of them:
You must register in advance to vote in many states, sometimes by as many as thirty days. Under US federal law, you can buy a gun on the day you decide you want one.
Purchase birth control medication or attempt to have an abortion.
To get a cell or mobile phone contract, you must provide your social security number. It's the same when signing up for many utility services. However, when buying a gun, providing a social security number is not necessary.
Becoming a citizen is more difficult than purchasing a gun.
Trying to get the FDA (Food, Drug, Administration) to protect public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, and biological products, e.g., OxyContin and Oxycodone. How much money did Purdue Pharmaceutical and the Sackler family put into the pockets of top executives at the FDA to get richer at the cost of many lives? In 2022, a great film was released about Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family called Dope Sick and the trailer is scary.
Mailing a package to Australia or any other country.
Due to zoning laws in Miami-Dade County in Florida, liquor stores must be built 2,000 feet away from churches. What an inconvenience for all the booze-drinking preachers, priests, and Christians. However, concealed guns can be carried without proving they were purchased legally.
Paying off your student loan will take longer than purchasing a firearm.
Being able to obtain food stamps. The average American waits approximately three weeks to get food stamps to feed themselves or their family. While amounts vary, the average client is offered $1.41 per meal.
Anti-Diarrhea Medication - Expect to be put under surveillance in a way that won't happen if you purchase large numbers of firearms. Anyone who bulk-buys anti-diarrhea medication is likely to come under scrutiny by the FDA because the drugs have been abused. In large doses, drugs like Imodium have a similar impact on the body as opiates, like heroin. You'll get high, but your bowels will stop moving. Sounds like a great experiment.
Since the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, there have been more than 394 school shootings. In the year 2022, there were 46 school shootings. Many children that witnessed the violence may be profoundly traumatised for the rest of their lives. It's difficult to understand why this continues to happen, and the root problem never gets confronted. There should be a solution to stop these horrendous actions against innocent students and people.
It may not be surprising to know that school shootings disproportionately affect children of colour. Almost all the deadliest assaults were committed by White boys or men, a reality that has left the public with the false impression that school shootings exclusively affect only White students. Unfortunately, children of colour are far more likely to experience school gun violence. At schools with many Black students, shooters tend to target a specific person, limiting the number of people injured or killed. They also receive less media exposure. The Washington Post reviewed over 180 shootings committed by juveniles since Columbine, and in cases where the source of the gun could be determined, most of the weapons were found in the homes of friends, relatives, or parents.
So, where do we go from here? How do we get elected officials to address the real problem and create solutions to start saving the lives of young, innocent children on school campuses? Do you think parents of the young shooters should be held accountable for these crimes? It feels like time is running out before another erratic shooter decides to attack a school, a church, a shopping mall, movie theaters, nightclubs, workplaces neighbourhoods, concert venues, restaurants, or a community of people with different ethnic backgrounds.
According to the Prevention Institute gun violence must stop. They recommend pushing politicians elected to protect everyone by:
Sensible gun laws: Reducing easy access to dangerous weapons.
Creating a culture of gun safety like many other countries.
Reducing firearm access to youth and individuals who are at risk of harming themselves or others.
Holding the gun industry (NRA - National Rifle Association) accountable and ensuring there is adequate oversight over the marketing and sales of guns and ammunition.
Engaging responsible gun dealers and owners in finding solutions.
To insist on mandatory training and licensing for owners.
Require safe and secure gun storage.
Developing a plan to help communities to heal from the trauma.
Law enforcement violence and abuse occur every day to people of colour. We need to establish accountability for sworn officers and private security as opposed to granting paid leave to officers that kill innocent people because of the colour of their skin.
It won't be an easy task, but we the people must stand up and speak out for what's right. Sending lots of emails and letters helps, but more is needed to persuade politicians to work on a plan to ban assault weapons. One of the best ways to send a message to those who have been elected is by voting for people who will do what's needed to stop the murders of innocent people.
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