Mass Shootings in NY: Gun Control Debates Intensify - Essay Sample

Introduction

Massive debates have been on the rise concerning gun control, especially in the nation's capital. New York has been on the limelight due to the rising cases of mass shootings and homicide, which has increased fear and tension on innocent citizens. Arguments for or against gun ownership are on freewill, although consideration is on the extent of damage caused on the citizens to warrant for a consensus (Farhi, 2018). Comparative reviews on media coverage of mass shootings that occurred in the last three decades have been done. From the statistics, it is evident that a considerable percentage of the shootings happened in schools and colleges. Specifically, the Gun Violence Archives indicate that 239 school shootings occurred in the US between December 2012 and February 2018 (Ndiku, 2018). In the move to get more information on the need for stiff measures on gun control and ownership, I engaged victims of school mass shootings on interviews and gathered some facts and opinions.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

An interview with a senior student David Hogg, who fell a victim of the shootings that occurred in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parklands, Florida, revealed the need for tight legislation on gun control. According to him, mass shootings require stricter laws to minimizes the incidences of crime since few licensed people will own guns, making it easier to control. The shooting in the school had resulted in the death of more than 17 students, as narrated by David Hogg, citing the gun culture in the US as limiting the adoption of gun control policies (Kirby, 2018).

The student is a journalist who volunteers in the school's TV station, and according to him, he went on cameras to cover the incident. His reason was that even if he died in the process of coverage, cameras would still pass the message of change coming from various student opinions. After appearing on the front of the media cameral in the evening of the mass shooting, Hogg then proceeded to CNN media coverage on a Thursday morning to plead the lawmakers to do something to eliminate mass shootings (Kirby, 2018). He would not want to resume lessons in school until gun control legislations had been passed. He suggested naming of the bills on gun control using the names of those that succumbed to the shootings.

From the interview, one student mentioned that much had been said about the increasing concern for gun control, but what makes the situation more real is seeing students running for hideouts. That is a clear indication that mas shooting should not be taking place in this era of increased globalization because money cannot buy peace, but laws and regulations to limit gun use can (Kirby, 2018). According to other students, including Hogg, they had been advocating for gun control and a ban on ownership of guns. It is because they are never safe while at school as shootings were prone to occur anytime, but then like other citizens, there is nothing they could do. However, they are determined to see the struggle come to an end as they indicated that they need a lawyer to represent them the lack of resources and campaign people have constrained their efforts. However, politicians do not care after all (Shugerman, 2018). The teenagers are so overwhelmed by the state ignorance of the matter, and thus they take it upon themselves to bring change in entire American states not only for their sake but also for generations to come.

When asked how the students are balancing their grief of losing their colleagues to mass shootings with the effort to bring change in terms of legislation on gun control, David Hogg had this to say, "The only source of any grieving that I can do at this point is to keep fighting. I have to. There is no way I can stop because I do not want anybody else to die from this. If I do not take action-because, our stupid politicians won't -more are going to die." (Kirby, 2018, par 32). That clearly shows the widespread negligence of citizens by the government and the politicians who do not want to take any action (Kirby, 2018). According to Hogg, the push for mental care reforms and gun reforms would significantly lower the shooting incidences in the capital and other parts of America.

Nonetheless, not all students had been advocating for stringent measures on gun control; one student highlighted that she was in favor of gun rights. She also indicated her determination to become a member of the National Rifle Association. Her love for the association and gun ownership pushed her to plan for her 18th birthday party at a gun range, impressive! However, the shootings made her change her mind altogether. She explained the traumatizing experience saying that she cannot stand seeing a gun near her and neither witnessing one being pointed to anyone she knows. "This experience was so traumatizing to the point where I cannot even fathom a gun in my house" (Shugerman, 2018, par 9). The implication is that mass shooting was an eye-opener for her to join others in advocating for more gun control measures in America.

References

Farhi, P. (2018). Explaining or exploiting? A mass shooting raises questions about media coverage. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/explaining-or-exploiting-a-mass-shooting-raises-questions-about-media-coverage/2018/02/15/18a00da6-1274-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html.

Kirby, J. (2018). Florida shooting survivor explains how his generation can force a change on guns. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/2/20/17030294/florida-shooting-survivor-david-hogg-gun-control.

Ndikum, C. M. (2018). Perceptions of People's Experiences Regarding Gun Violence (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University). https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6662&context=dissertations

Shugerman, E. (2018). Florida shooting Student journalist interviews classmates about gun control while school is attacked, Independent, New York.