On March 24, there will be a march in Washington D.C. in honor of gun reform and gun control in the wake of mass shootings. A lot of people will be writing about this and it's continuously in the news, but I want to write this article particularly in the lens of a Hokie.

In 2007, the deadliest college shooting in the history of the United States occurred on the Virginia Tech campus. I walk past the memorial on the Drillfield every single day. I was there on the 10th anniversary of the shooting where it was moving to see everyone reflecting on that horrific day at the memorial site. I don't know what the correct solution to this horrible gun violence issue we have in this country is.

However, I do know that change needs to happen. I am absolutely amazed at the perseverance and the outspokenness of the high school students that were affected by this tragic event in Parkland, Florida. I am proud of the students that are not backing down and calling the politicians to take action on a clear problem that we have today. People are saying that we should arm our teachers which I think is the craziest idea. Children will not feel safe with each teacher armed and teachers will not enjoy having to be militarized.

I think supporters of the NRA are quick to jump away from the idea of more gun control because they feel like people are going to take away all of their guns but that is not what people are calling for. People are not calling for the taking away of Second Amendment rights completely but we do need closer and more effective background checks as well as the taking away the attainment of assault weapons.

I am shocked to see that even in the 10 years since the Virginia Tech massacre, the issue of gun control and mass shootings still has not been solved and the problems only growing worse. In honor of those fellow Hokies, I will hold my politicians accountable and support others who want to call people to take action whether it is through the "march for our lives" or through other political movements.