When is it enough? How many more shootings? How many more deaths of students, teachers, moms, dads, and children? How many more till gun control laws are passed?
On the July 21st, dozens of customers and employees of a branch of the Trader Joe's in Silverlake suffered through a hostage, active-shooter situation. One woman, identified as the store manager, was killed and unable to go home. Two people were injured and unable to go home unscathed. Dozens were left shaken with a traumatic experience.
Imagine how scared they must have been. Although thankfully, I've never had to experience a shooting, I can imagine that they were most likely trembling in fear with thoughts of: "Who will be shot next? Will it be me?"
How many more people need to suffer from a gunshot wound or psychological trauma from a shooting? How much longer till one in ten people in America has experienced their life to be threatened by a gun?
In spite of the efforts of politicians and mass shooting survivors, such as those of the Parkland shooting this past February in Florida, gun control laws have yet to be passed on the federal level.
Due to all the protests and voting, the Parkland student activists were able to pressure Florida's legislature to pass a school safety bill with some gun control laws. However, this is definitely not enough.
Given the current political climate of America and recent events, all I feel that I can do is tell you to vote.
Think of the students who sat in their classrooms, heard the gunshots, and saw their classmates fight for their lives. Think of the customers and employees who were forced to stay quiet while struggling to stay quiet.
For those of you who keep guns for the sake of protection, please place them in a locked, out-of-reach area.
Please remember that these people have loved ones. They all have families and have lives ahead of them.
