Shortly before 3 pm on Wednesday, February 14th, 19 year old Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Stoneman Douglas High School with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. The shooting lasted six minutes, and by the time it ended, fourteen students and three staff members were killed, and fifteen severely injured victims were taken to the hospital. This shooting is now listed as one of the world's deadliest school shootings, outranking the Columbine massacre.
In the days following the shooting, America was left wondering "how did this happen again?". After all, this was the eighteenth shooting this year, only 45 days into 2018. Many people took to Twitter to ask how Cruz was able to buy a gun originally created for the military? The answer is simple: buying a gun is pretty easy in America. In fact, there are quite a few things that are surprisingly much more difficult to buy than a gun.
1. Cold medicine
Cold medicines such as Sudafed require purchasers to show photo ID, and be logged into a database.
2. A car
Not only do you need to pass a written and practical exam to get your license, you also need up-to-date insurance, registration papers, and regular inspections.
3. Birth control pills
You'll need a prescription from your doctor, as well as follow-up exams in some cases.
4. An abortion
In almost all 50 states, you're required to go through a 24 hour waiting period in order to get an abortion, as well as get mandatory counseling before and after.
5. Kinder Surprise Eggs
After a few cases of children choking on the toys hidden inside of these chocolate treats (despite the warnings on their labels), they were banned in America, despite being available almost everywhere else in the world.
6. Become an American citizen
This can take anywhere from six moths to a year if you're lucky, but you can just drive to a Walmart and buy a gun then continue with your afternoon shopping.
7. Qualifying for unemployment
Even just with the paperwork you'll need to fill out, qualifying for unemployment takes a while, and you can end up waiting for over three weeks just to see your first payment.
8. Get an organ transplant
In some cases, you can end up on the list for five or more years.
9. Check into rehab with insurance
Certain plans still won't pay for rehab, even in 2018.
10. Buy alcohol
You have to be 21 to buy a bottle of beer, but only 18 to buy a semi-automatic rifle.
12. Go scuba diving
You'll need to take a three day course in order to get your scuba certification, but only a quick online form for a gun license.
13. Change your name on Facebook
Sorry high school seniors, but you're actually not allowed to change your Facebook name from anything besides your legal name.
14. Go hunting or fishing
For either of these things, you'll need your Social Security Number, but you won't need it to buy a gun.
15. Apply for a passport
You'll have to fill out paperwork and prove that you're an American citizen before waiting up to six weeks to receive your passport.
16. Get divorced
Enjoy waiting up to six months for your divorce to be finalized.
17. Adopt a pet
In some cases, to adopt a pet you'll need to show references to prove that you're able to care for an animal, as well as complete home visits before you can bring your new friend home.
18. Buy fertilizer
If you purchase over 25 pounds of fertilizer, the purchase is registered, and your name is ran against a registry of known terrorists.
