Gun Reform
WHAT IS GUN REFORM?
Gun reform, or gun control is a "set of laws or policies to regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification or use of firearms by civilians."
The United States has seen an influx of unprovoked mass shootings over the last several years. This year alone there has been 146 mass shootings as of April 10, 2023. That is more than how many days have passed in this year so far. These have taken place in grade schools, colleges or universities, and public places of business killing numerous children and adults.
Gun reform is one way that politicians are looking to stop or decrease these events from occuring.
Some people are against gun control because they feel that it takes away their second amendment rights to bear arms. The second Amendment "protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home."
Sandy Hook Promise - What We Can Do To End Gun Violence
On December 14, 2012, six adults and 20 children were killed by a shooter who earlier killed his mother in their home. The shooter entered the elementary school and began firing throughout the school. The shooter was carrying a Bushmaster rifle, a Glock handgun, and a Sig-Sauer handgun. The shooter was said to be suffering from mental health issues, with his mother not heeding warnings that he needed treatment.
Within 24 hours, Lee Shull gathered a group of friends to support each other during this tragedy. Knowing that more needed to be done, the families of the victims were suppored as Shull reached out to the loved ones to offer support and to advocate for whatever the families wanted to do. Three of the families wanted to advocate for change around gun safety, mental well,ess and stronger communities. Thus became the organization known as Sandy Hook Promise on January 14, 2013.
The Sandy Hook Promise states that you "promise to do all I can to protect children from gun violence by encouraging and supporting solutions that create safer, healthier homes, schools and communities.”
- Encourage others to make the promise through social media, email and other social avenues.
- Avoid online debates - Don't engage in online hate from those who oppose gun reform. Stay positive and focus on the goal.
- Educate yourself about the issues.
- Sign a petition to expand backgrouond checks.
- Become a gun violence prevantion advocate by reading up on local laws and regulations, writing letters and getting involved in school.
References
https://abcnews.go.com/US/mass-shootings-days-2023-database-shows/story?id=96609874#:~:text=There%20have%20been%20163%20mass%20shootings%20so%20far%20this%20year.&text=There%20have%20been%20131%20mass,to%20the%20Gun%20Violence%20Archive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_control
https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/blog/student-resources/what-you-can-do-right-now-to-help-end-gun-violence/