The Orlando Shooting was an American Problem That Needs an American Solution

I'm not going to bore you with statistics of gun crimes in America in order to prove how mass shooting in our country is unique at its rate. Mostly because the debate about gun control is such a controversial topic that everyone seems to already have a strong, stable opinion on it -- despite the numbers Inevitably, with the terrifying event that happened at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, everyone started debating gun control. On social media, on news outlets, and on the streets, we've constantly been hearing the political left declaring, "We need stricter laws!" and the political right exclaiming, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people!".

Since the shooter was of Afghani descent, practice Muslim faith, and pledged allegiance to ISIS, some people have the idea that this is international terrorism, therefore this is an international problem. When in fact, the shooter was BORN and RAISED in AMERICA; he bought his weapon and ammo in AMERICA. He was an American citizen who, yes, interacted with a foreign network, but acted on American grounds, through American means, on American people.

This problem was American on American. It's easier to blame outsiders, but he was one of our own. Just because he was a Muslim-American, he was still as American as a redneck wearing red, white, and blue while blasting country music. He was eligible to run for President in the United States, serve in the American military, hell - if he was a woman he could represent Miss America in the Miss Universe pageant!

This is DOMESTIC problem. This is domestic terrorism. This is our problem: not Afghanistan's, not Iraq's, not Syria's. AMERICA'S PROBLEM. Therefore, an AMERICAN solution is needed. Everything he did could have been done without the influence of ISIS. ISIS didn't buy his gun and ammo and send it abroad. ISIS didn't send him from Afghanistan here. His parents, like many others, came to the United States for a better lifestyle. He was born here and bought his weapons here. And keep in mind, despite being investigated by the FBI, he was still able to purchase his assault rifle and ammo legally in America.

So how can Americans blame ISIS for this? How can Americans blame an ancient, world religion for this? Pointing fingers does not get anything done. Pointing fingers does not make us live in a safer society. Pointing fingers does not save lives. Pointing fingers will not stop another mass shooting.