It’s time we do something about gun violence.
I’m tired. I’m tired of seeing “Mass Shooting” in every news headline. My heart aches for every family or friend that has lost someone to gun violence. Our thoughts and prayers haven’t done justice for those killed at MSU, Nashville, Memphis, Half Moon Bay, or any of the 131 mass shootings this year: it’s time we take action.
“The time for only thoughts and prayers is over. Let’s enact common sense measures to reduce gun violence in our communities,” Governor Gretchen Whitmer explained in response to my email regarding gun violence legislation in Michigan.
My hopes are that we are able to have universal background and mental health checks, and to ban assault weapons.
While in every state a background check is needed–written in national law–to purchase a gun, there are other ways to purchase them: gun shows. In many states, you can attend a gun show and purchase a gun without any background checks. You have a felony? Domestic violence charge? Doesn’t matter– there aren’t any checks. Background checks need to be universal and they need to have teeth.
Under the Gun Control Act of 1968, businesses that sell guns are required to submit a background check; if those companies sold those guns to people without a background check, they need to be held accountable.
The shooter at MSU had previous charges involving a gun and he was somehow still able to buy a gun legally. What does that say about the credibility of the background checks? How do we know a check was ever placed? Background checks need to be both consistent and universal, as they include all of the following: criminal state records, warrants, juvenile records, and felonies.
In Canada, an intensive background check is required. But, here is where they go beyond the United States: the person buying the weapon must provide two references to ensure the safety of themselves and others. Furthermore, they require a gun safety class to even get your gun license.
If other countries are taking steps to reduce gun violence, why can’t the US? According to the New York Times, firearms are the main cause of death of teens and kids- higher than cancer and car crashes. How are we accepting this? The deaths of innocent–and often very young–people.
Under Federal Law, if a person is committed to a mental hospital or deemed mentally ill by a court, they are prohibited from purchasing a firearm; but, that’s only if they’ve been through the court. How would we know otherwise? In no way does this prevent those diagnosed with a severe disorder outside of the court–schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder–from buying a gun. I’m not saying all diagnosed with those disorders are dangerous, but these disorders are more likely to cause violent behavior. Not only would this prevent the harm of others, but mental health checks could prevent those who are mentally unstable from hurting themselves.
According to CNN, Audrey Hale, the shooter of a private Christian school in Nashville, was under care for emotional disorder: unstable emotional reactions that are inappropriate in situations. He legally purchased seven firearms and hid them in his house. If there were mental health checks–which are not currently required–would he have been able to purchase those weapons and kill innocent children and teachers? We won’t know because they weren’t in place. He was under care and STILL able to purchase them.
Some questions that could be asked during a mental health check could be:
Are you under care for mental health?
What disorder have you been diagnosed with?
In the past year/six months, have you been admitted to a mental institution?
What do you plan on doing with this weapon?
Who are two personal references who could verify you are safe to yourself and others?
I know this may sound excessive, but why not do everything in our power to protect ourselves and others?
In no way am I trying to take away all the guns–obviously not possible–because I understand people want to be able to protect themselves in their household and to hunt. But, it’s the matter of making sure the wrong people aren’t able to purchase a gun. Though, I don’t think you need an AR-15 to shoot a deer or stop an intruder: strictly a weapon of war.
Also, it’s not only a Democratic belief. In 1994, Ronald Reagon and two other former Presidents sent a letter to House members; they urged them to support the ban of assault weapons. Ronald Reagon was a gun owner at the time and a part of the Republican party, but he still believed in the ban.
“There is absolutely no reason why out on the street today a civilian should be carrying a loaded weapon,” former President Ronald Reagon said in a speech.
Put the political views aside. You don’t have to be a Republication or a Democrat to understand we are facing a major problem in the United States. The answer is simple: common sense gun legislation now.
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