Gun control is a touchy topic, but in light of recent shootings I felt the need to elucidate my own opinion on the matter. If you are under the belief that outlawing guns would eliminate gun violence or shooting incidents, please keep reading.

In Florida, to buy a gun, you just need to fill out the forms for a background check, have a valid form of I.D, and be 18 or older. Three days after the background check is submitted, the gun dealer will contact you letting you know if you’re eligible. If you’re eligible, you go in and buy a gun. That’s it. Simple, scarily so. For a handgun, you must be 21 or older, and the same goes for a concealed weapon’s permit. To get a concealed weapon’s permit, you just need to take a two hour, that’s right, two-hour course, and you’ll receive a concealed weapon’s permit.

These are not hard things to accomplish, however, if we make them impossible, by outlawing guns, would that stop potential shootings? No. The people that commit these shootings are willing to kill other human beings. They are willing to slaughter people by the droves and not bat an eye. Do you think merely outlawing guns will stop them? No. Marijuana is illegal in most states, does that stop people from using it? Does that stop people from being able to access it? No. Heroine, cocaine, and other drugs are also completely accessible to people, even though they are illegal. Fully automatic weapons are illegal, yet people in gangs often manage to attain them through gun smugglers and the underground market. Making guns illegal will not solve the issue of mass shootings. Better security, and a more watchful eye, yes. Making guns illegal? Not so much.

Making guns illegal will simply make it so that law-abiding citizens do not have access to them. But criminals will still have access to them. This could potentially make the situation worse.

Personally, I do not believe that outlawing guns is the path to stopping these shootings. If anything, outlawing guns will just make the common people more defenseless. Although violence is not the answer, sometimes you have to defend yourself or defend the people you care about, and in some cases, the only answer is violence. It may not be the right answer, but it can be the answer that gives you the result you desire. If you believe in nonviolence, then fine, do not take the path of violence. Do not defend yourself when someone points a gun at you. But if you are selfish, as I am, if you have the will to live, and the conviction to defend yourself, then would you rather not have a gun in hand to protect yourself?

Another reason I do not believe we should outlaw guns is because I feel it is unfair to gun enthusiasts and people who shoot guns as a hobby. I used to do archery and throw knives when I was in high school, and I absolutely loved it.

I once went clay shooting and I was in a state of nirvana every time I would shoot and see the clay disc shatter into a billion pieces in the air.

Shooting guns at a range doesn’t harm anyone. It’s a recreational activity. If we allow the government to outlaw it, then what’s to stop them from outlawing other recreational activities? People say “guns need to be illegal to stop mass shootings!” Well, what’s to stop the government from saying “Video games need to be illegal to stop obesity!” or “Alcohol needs to be illegal to stop drunk driving!” I do not believe in simply outlawing guns, as that is taking away a non-harmful, stress-relieving recreational activity that many people partake in.

The second point I’d like to make about gun control is more concerned with the safety of people who own guns for recreational or self-defense purposes. Gun accidents occur daily. This is due to the ridiculously easy standards we have for purchasing a gun. I think that instead of simply running a background check, that people should be required to receive proper training and safety etiquette before buying a gun. I do not consider a 2 hour course enough, as it is now for a concealed weapon’s permit. A minimum of 20 hours, spread out over a few weeks, or perhaps a few months, would seem reasonable enough for someone to gain a solid foundation and understanding of gun safety. But a mere 2 hours? There's not a snowball’s chance in hell that someone would be able to wield a gun with proper safety after a mere 2 hours. I believe that people should be much more educated in gun safety, and be required to take an aptitude test before being allowed to purchase a gun.