It has been a year since the Las Vegas shooting, almost 8 months since the Parkland shooting in Florida, and over 2 years since the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. Guns and gun control have always been hot issues in the United States. But over the past decade, they have been fiercely debated with many mass shootings occurring more frequently. The argument over personal freedom and public safety is nothing new. We have heard the same arguments back and forth from both sides.
But why has the public debate died down the past couple of months? We don't see as many headlines about gun control or the 2nd Amendment as we used to. So, why have we been drawn away from a pretty damn important national discussion? For starters, politics in America is a 24/7 phenomena. Agendas change, new stories take over the news cycle, the foreign policy makes headlines, and sometimes the general American public simply moves on from a topic. We lose interest after a certain period of time.
But after the last few years, it felt different this time around. It felt like something would come out of this debate. The American people had had enough. Young people were becoming more engaged in politics, organizing marches, rallies, and town halls. No matter where you stand on guns, you had to be impressed that Americans were showing passion and motivation for something they cared about. So, what's next? What will be the next phase of this debate that seems never-ending?
Hopefully, the American people won't have to wait until the next mass shooting for guns to be back in the spotlight. Guns, however, can be a very contentious issue for many people. The outrage that coincides with the discussion would be something most people would try to avoid. We sometimes want to avoid conflict amongst ourselves. But through conflict, comes compromise and results. Conflict can make us stronger. We all need to embrace that conflict and face those who disagree with us. It is the only way to move the conversation forward.
In the state of Florida, the gun debate is very prominent. Florida has seen two very deadly mass shootings since June of 2016. The Senate debate between incumbent Bill Nelson and former governor Rick Scott saw a contentious debate about gun control. Perhaps the state level is where this debate will pick back up. That won't satisfy everyone, but it is comforting to know that somewhere, passionate Americans are engaging in political and social debates.
Keeping the conversation going is what drives America forward. America is built upon debate and keeping it alive. We are meant to keep improving and getting better. No matter what you think about guns, gun control, the 2nd Amendment, or previous legislation, it is imperative that we talk about it. That is the only way we can make any kind of progress. So, keep talking about guns and other issues you're passionate about, our nation depends on it.
