Today marks another Valentine's Day for America but today I have decided to talk about something more serious. Something that occurs frequently but needs to end. Today I am discussing high school shootings.
February 14, 2018, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida started like any other day. Lots of flowers, candy, and classes until midday when an armed assailant opened fire on the students injuring (so far) 40-50 people and at least 17 killed.
Let's look back at how many school shootings have occurred so far in 2018:
Feb. 14th Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida
A male student opened fire during school hours injuring 40-50 students, killing many at a "Level 3" causality incident.
Feb. 1: Salvador B. Castro Middle School in Los Angeles, California
A female student opened fire striking a 15-year-old boy in the head and a 15-year-old girl in the wrist. Three others, ranging in age from 11 to 30, suffered minor cuts and scrapes.
Jan. 23: Marshall County High School in Benton, Kentucky
A 16-year-old boy opened fire on campus, killing two and injuring 18 others.
Jan. 22: Italy High School in Italy, Texas
A 16-year-old boy shot and injured a 15-year-old girl with a semi-automatic handgun in the school cafeteria. He was taken into custody after the incident.
Jan. 22: NET Charter High School in New Orleans, Louisiana
An unidentified person pulled up in a truck and shot into a group of students standing outside the school during lunchtime. One teenager was sent to the hospital with a superficial injury.
Jan. 20: Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
A North Carolina football player from Winston-Salem State University was shot to death while at an event at Wake Forest University.
Jan. 15: Wiley College in Marshall, Texas
Police believe two suspects in a car exchanged gunfire with a person in a dormitory parking lot. No injuries were reported, but a bullet entered a dorm room during the incident.
Jan. 10: Grayson College in Denison, Texas
A criminal justice student fired a bullet through a wall after mistaking the firearm for a training gun. No one was injured.
Jan. 10: California State University, San Bernardino in San Bernardino
A gun was fired on campus, however, no injuries reported.
Jan. 9: Coronado Elementary School in Sierra Vista, Arizona
A 14-year-old boy was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the school bathroom.
Jan. 6: School bus in Forest City, Iowa
A 32-year-old man was arrested after firing a pellet gun into a school bus. No children were injured, but a window on the bus was shattered.
Jan. 4: New Start High School in Burien, Washington
Shots were fired from outside the school into the school's administration office, but no one was injured.
Jan. 3: East Olive Elementary School in St. John's Michigan
A 31-year-old man shot and killed himself in the school parking lot after hours of negotiation with police. The man called authorities and said he was suicidal and had a handgun.
How is this still going on? How do we not have more strict rules on guns? And yes people can say, "We have it under control" or, "The assailant is the problem, not the gun." Here's the problem with that, guns are easily accessible for any age which is terrifying to me how a child can get a hold of such a dangerous weapon. Don't believe me, then watch this clip:
WE are the problem. WE need to be the solution. WE are responsible for these shootings. I believe that people who are old enough to register for a gun can own one but the fact that students can obtain weapons such as guns at their age is preposterous.
