Last week, a tragic school shooting in Florida resulted in more tragedies than the infamous Columbine massacre. However, these high schoolers are not about to let their school become another statistic.
These brave students are fighting to end gun violence in America, and I fully support their endeavors. As my contribution to the conversation, here are five common arguments against gun control, and reasons why they should not be legitimate.
1. But the Second Amendment!
This might come as a shock to you, but we’ve had some significant technological advances since 1776. This has included such amenities as cell phones, computers, televisions, and cars. Guns have followed this trend. Back in the time of our founding fathers, the guns were considerably different.
Also, the “right to bear arms” specifically refers to a well-trained civilian militia, much like the men who fought in the revolutionary war. Keeping in mind that the writers of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were living in a time that was rougher and fresh out of the revolution when British soldiers regularly looted towns and homes.
With modern alarm systems, locks, and 911 on speed dial, does Joe next door really need a shotgun to protect his family?
2. Criminals will still get their hands on guns, obviously.
You’re not wrong. But forgive me for pointing something out to you. Most of these mass shooters aren’t the mob-boss, drug-dealer types you’re thinking of. They’re our next-door neighbors, our coworkers, and our ex-boyfriends.
Some of these people who go into mass shootings have records, but nothing so crazy that they would be able to have the connections to get their hands on automatic weapons if guns were illegal. Besides, limiting the number of guns available would mean less in circulation, and the odds of a potential mass shooter getting their hands on one goes down.
3. Arm people so they can protect themselves, especially teachers!
Thankfully, I’ve seen this argument get plenty of rebuttals, many from teachers themselves. We don’t give them money for basic school supplies, so where would the money for guns and training come from? Also, I don’t remember where I saw this, so I apologize for not giving credit, but someone on Facebook said, “Imagine someone who’s been planning this versus a scared social studies teacher.”
Also, on the topic of civilians with guns, think of Chris Kyle, the American Sniper guy. Even though he was well-trained and had his own weapon, he was still killed by another gun. Not to mention that some murderers, such as the ones in Las Vegas and the University of Texas, shoot from places where no armed civilian, or official, for that matter, could stop them in time.
4. Other weapons exist, you know.
I’d like to see a knife do the same damage an AR-15 can do... or any gun. Recently, there was a young girl who brought her gun to school. When she dropped her backpack, it misfired, shooting two of her classmates.
If she had a knife in her backpack, the results would have been wildly different. Now, no child should bring weapons to school at all, but if someone is so determined to do so, a knife is far less likely to have collateral damage.
5. I don’t want to give up my guns!
Okay, great to know that you value your weapons over actual lives. Congratulations, you’re a piece of shit.
