2016 has brought nothing but fear into the lives of American citizens. According to TIME magazine, since the new year started 58 people have been killed in mass shootings. TIME broke down the number of deaths per year (using data from Mother Jones; Grant Duwe author of "Mass Murder in the United States: A History") from a mass shooting since 1982. I went ahead and totaled the list and determined that 629 people have died from mass shootings in the past 34 years. Some of these massacres occurred at college campuses, movie theaters, work offices, restaurants, high schools, elementary schools and, most recently, a night club; all locations where everyday activities occur. Why is it that violence has become a norm in our society?

The Washington Post compiled an even more detailed record than TIME of the number of people killed in mass shootings. According to their article titled, "The math of mass shootings," in the past 126 events of mass shootings since 1966, 869 people have been killed. The parents of 144 children or teenagers had to bury their kids because of a senseless act of violence. Some of these parents were killed alongside their children. Never should a parent be worried about sending their child off to school, let alone someone going out on a date to the movies or even to a nightclub. Everyday activities seem to be intervened by the thought that something horrific could potentially happen.

As a 20-year-old college student, I do not know copious amounts of information on politics or the specifics of purchasing and licensing a gun. What I do know is that according to the Washington Post, 244 guns have been used in these massacres. More than half of these guns have been obtained legally (140) and only 39 guns have been obtained illegally.

Something has to be done regarding gun violence. Someone must take a stand and enact change because clearly the current laws and regulations are not sufficient.