I have so many things to say, and whether you agree with me or not, we can all agree that something has got to change.

I usually keep to myself about big things. I might repost a few videos on Facebook or retweet some tweets, but usually I don't come right out and say anything about big things.

That ends today.

Today, I am going to speak out and talk about what we all need to be talking about.

I read an article written by another odyssey writer talking about Orlando, and I'd like to take this time to address that there were lives lost and lives changed.

Last year, there was a shooting scare at my university. Now, I'm not trying to make this about me, so just stay with me for a moment. On August 27, at around 10:15 a.m., a Maroon Alert was sent out saying there was a shooter on campus. And. All. Hell. Broke. Loose. I remember thinking to myself that I was going to die. The shooter, who ended up not having a gun, was in a building less than half a mile from my class. I texted and called my mom and I remember telling her that I thought I was going to die. Of course, I lived because (I'm writing for you now and) the shooter didn't have a gun. But we didn't know that until after he was taken into custody at 10:26 a.m. So for about 10 minutes, myself and other students at my university didn't know if we were going to live or die.

Orlando didn't have a Maroon Alert. Orlando didn't have a scare. Orlando did have a shooter. Someone shot at people and they died. There are families who have lost their children, children who have lost their parents, brothers who have lost their sisters, sisters who have lost their brothers, cousins, friends, humans; we've lost some of our own people.

The people in that nightclub thought they were going to die, and some of them did. I know it is no comparison, but when I thought I was going to die at the hands of a shooter, I was just empty inside. The fear I felt was different from any fear I've ever felt in my life. It was different from my fear of the dark or my fear of heights. It was different from my fear of tornadoes or my fear of storms. I thought I was going to lose my life, and it turned out there was no threat. The people in Orlando thought they were going to lose their lives, and they did.

Something's got to give.

I am mourning this tragedy. I didn't know any of the people there, but it could have easily been me or my friends. I have several friends who are in the LGBTQ community and I am a straight ally. That could have easily been us.

The thing is, this happens too often. I know you've seen on the news or social media people talking about gun control. Whatever side you're on of this argument, you have to agree that what happened in Orlando was not normal. Virginia was not normal. Sandy Hook was not normal. The never ending list is not normal. Soon, no one will be able to say they weren't directly affected by a shooting. Soon, you will know someone who knows someone on that list, or you will know someone on that list, or you will be on that list.

The situation is not getting better folks. People are dying. At the hands of someone they don't know who has access to weapons they shouldn't. Why are we letting this happen?

I'm not going to get too into the facts and figures because quite frankly I'm tired of talking about it. President Obama has had to address our country at least 17 times about shootings. 17 times. Y'all, Obama's second term isn't even over yet. He's still got a few more months. How many more shootings are there going to be?

There's several videos circulating with facts and figures showing the United States vs. other countries gun violence. Some people say such videos are skewed. Does this matter? Maybe. To me it doesn't. For me, it's not a big deal for us to have gun control.

Someone might say, "Oh, well she's never owned a gun, shot a gun, etc."

You're right person, I've never owned a gun, but I have shot one. My parents own guns, and we've gone to the range a few times together and used these guns. So, I do know what is like to hold a gun and to shoot a gun.

I'm not an expert. I don't know everything about guns. I don't get why people are so afraid of someone taking their precious guns. Honestly, if you're such a good, law-abiding citizen, why does gun control scare you so much? If you're doing what you're supposed to do, then why does the idea of laws to help keep guns out of the wrong hands scare you?

People say that gun control won't fix anything. People don't follow the law anyway. It's illegal to murder someone, it's illegal to do certain drugs, it's illegal to drink until you're 21, but people still do it. So, what you're saying is, if we can't get rid of all of it, then we shouldn't have laws? Great. Perfect.

Honestly, I don't care if you think gun control will work or not. We need to be doing something. I don't have all the answers. I don't know what the best solution is. What I do know is that I'm tired of people dying at the hands of guns. I'm tired of us doing nothing to stop this from happening. I'm tired of being tired.

We need to do something. I am with you Orlando. I see you. I hear you. I won't forget you. I love you.

All my love,

Shan

P.S.

Here's some links to some things: