I have always been for our Second Amendment rights as an American.
And with all honesty, I can say I like guns. They make me feel protected when they are in the hands of a capable user, and while this may not be what I am supposed to say, they are fun.
Guns have always been a topic that I have always felt the need to stay pretty silent about around friends and family.
The people I am around are either very liberal and 100% for insanely strict gun control or very conservative and don't think our Second Amendment right should be messed with. So, when they talk to me, a very in-the-middle type of citizen, I get judged from both sides of the spectrum.
Never in a million did I think I would be attending a march so anti-gun, but lately, I feel like we as a nation may be taking our Second Amendment right for granted.
Our students are no longer feeling safe to go to the one place they always should. Parents are finding themselves asking what measures will be taken if and when the time comes again.
In 1999, when Columbine lost 13 students, we as citizens decided it would be the last mass shooting.
It happened again with Sandy Hook, and again just under a year ago in Vegas, and now we are still fighting over laws with the latest mass shooting in Parkland.
Watching the students each get up on stage and speak on behalf of their lost friends and family members was one of the most heart-wrenching things I have encountered to this date. But, it was also one of the most moving and motivating things. The survivors were strong in their will to make it clear that the way we are handling these incidents is not acceptable.
On Saturday, March 24, 2018, I marched and said #NeverAgain and #EnoughisEnough. I stood with hundreds of thousands of others in Washington D.C, as well as hundreds of other rallies that took place across the United States.
I didn't march to infringe on anyone's right to bear arms. I marched for the want of laws that will make our future safer.
I am not, and don't really ever think I will be, anti-gun. I support and understand the want/right to protect oneself, but the cost of a civilian owning a weapon that was specifically meant to kill large amounts of people fast is overshadowing the right to feel protected. Because as of late, our guns aren't keeping us safe, they are what is causing us fear.
As a pro-Second Amendment citizen, I am standing and marching for stricter guidelines, not to take away from our freedoms, anger anyone, or take away anyone's constitutional rights.
In fact, my biggest hope is that we allow ourselves the chance to enjoy our most basic and precious right, which is to pursue life.
There is no longer time to argue over the matter left and right, liberal or conservative, or Democrat or Republican. Now is the time I ask, one citizen to another, to not give up your guns, but to be willing to make some sacrifices and compromises in order to assure the safety of your friends, family, and fellow Americans.
