Following the tragic events at Oxford High School on Nov. 30, citizens have taken to social media to express their strongly held beliefs against the current gun laws enforced in Michigan.
As Americans, we often hear two very extreme sides of politics: anti-gun and pro-gun. The left tends to be more anti-gun, wanting to enforce gun-free zones, and in some cases, to make all guns illegal. Whereas the right is known to be very pro-gun and are fond of easy access to gun ownership. Which of these works best, we will most likely never agree upon. However, as Americans, it is important that we broaden our perspective in these situations. Unfortunately, some cling so tightly to their political party that they become stuck looking at the same 2-sided coin, expecting the other side to magically change and match the other… And it never happens.
One thing is for sure; just because something is illegal doesn’t mean people won’t do it. If someone has a mental state in which they are willing to fire a gun at innocent people, they will likely not care if they need to obtain a gun illegally to do it. According to the U.S. Department of Justice in 2019, out of the 287,000 prisoners who carried a firearm during their offense, only 7% had received one legally. This means that enforcing extreme gun-control laws will not eliminate gun violence virtually at all, but only prevents innocent law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves.
It is also true, though, that legally owned guns are frequently stolen and used by criminals. The Institute of Medicine had reported in 2013 that nearly all firearms used in criminal cases had entered circulation through an initial legal transaction. Ethan Crumbley, the perpetrator of the Oxford shooting, had obtained his gun this way after his parents had gone to a Michigan gun shop and bought a semi-automatic 9-millimeter Sig Sauer handgun.
With this conflicting evidence, it’s proof enough to say that gun violence will never not exist in this world. While a solution cannot be fully reached, it would be unwise to say we shouldn’t take extra measure to ensure that guns remain in innocent hands. Taking the middle-ground is extremely important to encourage gun ownership. In my honest opinion, the more people who are able to conceal and carry, the more of a chance people will have to survive when events like this occur. However, it is equally as important to perform extensive background checks, along with a psychological evaluation, and go through safety training before ownership is allowed.
Though it may not be enough to take back the horrors of Nov. 30, my thoughts and prayers will be with the families of those whose lives were taken. Let’s continue to encourage and be there for each other as we pursue in the fight against gun violence.
