I'm just gonna say it. We need gun control. So I would like to write this open letter to the Republican Party and those that think we need to have no background checks on purchasing guns and should let just anyone have a gun.

Dear Republican Party,

I would like to write this open letter to you and all of your supporters who feel that having no background checks on military-grade firearms is a good thing. I will break this down into 3 parts: 1. Having unrestricted gun purchasing power in the hands of the American citizen is not a good thing, 2. Having little to no background checks is not a good thing, and 3. More guns will not limit gun violence, this argument is deeply flawed, and I'll get to that.

1. Having unrestricted gun purchasing power in the hands of the American citizen is not a good thing. The fact that I, as an American citizen, age 21, male, can walk into a gun store and buy a gun with no background check is horrendous. I could walk in, buy a semi-automatic, put a bump-stock on the end, and have a fully automatic machine gun on my hands. I can go home with that gun, and shoot whatever I want. I can go and shoot whoever I want. You wouldn't know if I was mentally unstable, had a deep vendetta against anyone, had the intent to hunt or to kill. This is a terrifying thought. By not limiting the purchase of guns you are putting the purchaser and those who would end up in front of the barrel of that gun in harms way, endangering their lives.

2. Having little to no background checks is not a good thing. Sure, when you go to buy something you typically want that process to go fast. Get a new phone, in 10 minutes you want to walk out using that cool new flashy device. Walk into a gun store and get an AR-15 in under five? Wait. If I wanted to get a car, they would have to check my credit score, if I apply for a job, they need to have a background check, if I go to the doctor they need to check my insurance. So why is it that I can go and get a gun, that is intended for KILLING, not HUNTING (because lets face it, NRA, if you want to advertise the AR-15 as a hunting rifle, then who the hell is eating deer or rabbit riddled with bullets), with little to no precaution taken, as it might infringe upon my second amendment rights.

3. More guns will not limit gun violence. Guns, guns, everywhere, and no one to stop the violence. This argument baffles me. If we keep giving the citizens gun, then they can defend themselves, right? No. This is what the police are for, what the army is for. If I defend myself from a potential killer, then I could be at fault for killing another human without cause, and vice versa. Also, by arming the good guys, you are also arming the bad guys. Good people don't shoot people, and therefore would not carry around their guns. Bad people, will shoot good people, and therefore would carry around guns. Also, training teachers to defend their students should not be necessary. They are there to educate students, not to act as a trained militia against possible threats, again, we have the police and army for that.

So, in conclusion, have background checks if you MUST sell guns. However, the easiest solution would be to remove guns from the country entirely, save for the police and military. Because, here's the thing. In the past 37 days, as of writing this article there have been 18 mass shootings, hell, by the time this is published, there will probably have been two more mass shootings. In the world there have been 18 mass shootings in the last 20 years. YEARS.

At this point, I'm numb to this. I see the headline, I think how sad, if only we had some common sense gun laws that would prevent this. Sure you can send all the thoughts and prayers you want, but that's not going to change shit. This is a gun violence epidemic, and it's only going to get worse if we don't do anything about it. And sending a bag of "thoughts and prayers" is the most condescending bullshit excuse for 'helping' the situation I have ever seen Mr. President and rep. Mike Bost.