Gun control, what does that mean? Gun control should mean the ability of the government to know where every gun that’s made is, and in who’s hands. Gun control should be the ability of the government to tell individuals that they can’t own assault or automatic weapons. Do I advocate taking away people’s second amendment right?Not at all, I believe people should be able to bear arms. I want to be given the choice to protect myself and my family. What I don’t agree with is ordinary people being able to buy assault rifles. In this day and age of domestic terrorism, why allow citizens to be able to purchase these types of guns? The police don’t even carry these guns. If I’m buying a gun to protect myself and my family, it’s going to something I can get to quickly like a handgun. There are so many instances these days of college shootings and just the other day, the shooting at the club in Orlando. When is Congress going to wake up and decide that assault weapons should not be sold to citizens? There is no length of time (waiting period) that’s long enough to give someone permission to own this type of gun. We thought things were bad when guns were being brought down from South to North because gang members were getting a hold of them and killing themselves and the innocent people around them, but the situation with domestic terrorism has all but eclipsed that issue. I would like to ask the NRA (National Rifle Association) why they think that guns should not be controlled. Military styled guns have no place in the urban environment. If guns were not so easily accessible they would not be as many incidents as there are. People are running around killing innocent people using assault rifles and automatic weapons because they want to kill the maximum amount of people. Let’s not give anymore people these opportunities. Ban assault weapons, ban automatic rifles. Let’s not mourn anymore innocent people.

I can see the police and the military carrying these guns because they need it. The police keep their automatic weapons in their cars in case they need it. They keep their handguns on them and the big guns as a backup. We all know there are situations when the police needs to use assault weapons. They have to use it when they are outgunned. The criminals are walking around with assault weapons and the police have to keep up with them. If citizens are banned from getting these weapons, then there would be no need for police to have them. The military is a different story, they are in a war. They need to be able to defend themselves and others in a quick, efficient manner and an automatic weapon is a necessity. I would never advocate for assault and automatic weapons to be taken away from the military, but that’s where it ends. Automatic and assault weapons should only be issued to military personnel, that are active military, and engaged in war.

Everyone should take a position on this issue and let their representative know how they feel. There’s no more time to stay quiet; too many people are dying. I want to be able to go the movies or the mall and feel comfortable; I’m tired of hearing these stories of people just going out to enjoy themselves and end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. If no stand is taken on this subject, we are going to end up back in the Wild, Wild West. The next generation should be able get through college and life without worrying about being killed by an assault rifle carrying nut. If the ordinary citizen feels the need to carry a gun, let it be a handgun; leave the policing to the people that get paid to keep law and order.

Word of the Week: If you struggle to get it, it’s appreciated more than if it’s just handed to you.