The Parkland school shooting happened weeks ago and it’s still in the minds of many, which is a positive. I was sadly under the assumption that this shooting would be like many others. The news would stop covering it, people would stop talking about it, and justice wouldn’t have been served. Thankfully my assumptions were wrong and students and adults combined are fighting to make this country safer.

Students from across the country are staging walkouts to show how serious they are about gun control. I’ve seen kids from my old high school walkout and speak to news teams about how this country needs to restrict guns. I can proudly say that this made me a very happy alumnus of Schaumburg High School and it’s important for students to come out and talk about it. While all of these efforts are amazing, it frustrates and scares me that the country refuses to make a change. This country needs stricter gun laws, or else students and children will continue to keep dying.

The first thing we need to understand is why people think we need stricter gun laws. Let me throw an example your way to clarify. In some states, it is 100% legal to purchase an assault rifle at the age of 18, and all you need is your driver’s license. In those same states, those 18 years olds can’t legally purchase a handgun until they turn 21.

Here are a few questions that come to mind. Why would an 18-year-old need an assault rifle? Why can you purchase an assault rifle three years before purchasing a handgun? Can’t you kill more people with an assault rifle rather than a handgun? Why do you only need a driver’s license and a laid-back “background” check in order to purchase a killing machine?

These questions shouldn’t even have to be asked. The answers to these questions seem like common sense and most people want change. Is it too hard for the government to listen to society, and just prevent simple mistakes?

18-year-olds shouldn’t be allowed to have assault rifles. This is just common sense. Most people just want to feel safe in their community or school and restrict guns, not take them away.

It is also important to understand the other side of the argument. Other people think that there should be an influx of guns throughout society, to scare people from trying to kill others. They think that campuses with teachers who have guns on them will scare society enough into not even trying to shoot anyone.

While this is a very thoughtful idea, it just doesn’t make sense.

What would be the difference between schools and prisons? Educators would walk around with guns, there would be armed guards throughout school, and you couldn’t get into school without going through metal detectors. While you might feel safer, your freedom and surroundings would be compromised, and it wouldn’t make me comfortable. Many people might argue that it’s better to feel that way instead of fearing for your life without protection, but the simple solution is gun control.

The government just needs to make simple restrictions. Have stricter background checks to prevent lunatics from legally buying a gun. Restrict heavy guns that can mow down half a school. Boycott the NRA, money shouldn’t be able to buy laws. For the lawmakers that are bought out by the NRA, you are so blinded by strings and money that you refuse to do anything.

My personal message to you is, go fuck yourself.

For every other lawmaker, please listen to society. Don’t you think it’s worrisome to see thousands of high school students stage a walkout of class just to show that they want something? We shouldn’t need another national tragedy to have this talk. It needs to be on your mind all day every day. Imagine that your child goes to school and gets murdered. Your frustration is unheard by the government and it feels like an endless pit.

But you are the government and you can make a change, so please do so. If nothing is done, there will be more school shootings and lives will be lost because of laziness.

It breaks my heart and it should break yours too. For the people who are still talking about, and acting about gun control, keep going. It shouldn’t end until we see change. Go to your lawmakers, talk to them, send them emails, call them, just continue to do things. If you are just a bystander who doesn’t care, start caring. Sooner or later you’ll be a father or mother and it’ll be blood on your hands if nothing is done. You should want your future child to feel safe, so make a change now.