The pro-gun control video above shows well-known celebrities and actors naming the towns in which mass shootings have taken place. The seemingly endless slew of places affected by gun violence provides a tangible representation of how widespread this issue has become. It also appeals to national pride as a reason to demand gun control, implying that as Americans, we should all have a right to feel safe. This video was posted shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Connecticut in December 2012; what strikes me is that it is still incredibly relevant today.
I still remember learning about the news clearly: as I was on my way home from my school’s Christmas program, I heard about the Sandy Hook shooting on the radio. I was nothing short of shocked and horrified; it seemed so surreal to me. Up until that point, I had believed that such arbitrary acts of violence only happened in movies. Unfortunately, due to the increasing frequency of gun violence in America, most of us—myself included—have become desensitized to it. Mass shootings have transformed from heart-stopping, tear-jerking events to just another mass shooting, and that is so devastating.
Fortunately, politicians such as President Barack Obama are working to resolve the issue of gun control. In a nutshell, Obama’s strategy to reduce gun violence in America involves: requiring all gun sellers to obtain a license and run background checks on customers who wish to purchase guns, making background checks more thorough and holistic, and investing more money into the mental health industry to help troubled individuals who have a propensity for violence. However, Obama’s attempt at modifying gun control laws has been futile because he is unable to obtain approval from the Republican-dominated Congress. One of the main issues with gun control is the government’s inability to keep up with the will of the people. According to a recent Gallup poll, the majority of Americans support stricter gun control laws; however, Congress continues to object to Obama’s propositions. I urge readers to vote in both congressional and presidential elections so that the ideologies of politicians in power will better reflect ideologies of the majority. It is common for citizens to simply not vote because they feel like their vote will not make a difference; however, that is simply not true. If everyone votes, the government will be composed of individuals who accurately represent citizens’ beliefs, and maybe gun control will be a more tangible possibility.
Another obstacle in the advancement of gun control laws includes American citizens who vehemently oppose gun restrictions. Many pro-gun rights people believe that gun control laws violate the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, which grants “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms.” Personally, I think that there needs to be a compromise because the safety of the general population is more important than following a literal interpretation the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution was created to protect the rights of American citizens, which includes their safety. Following this logic, the government should be able to make modifications if it will reduce the frequency of gun violence. In addition to that, many pro-gun rights people accuse President Obama of wanting to take away their arms; however, as explicitly stated in his gun control plan, Obama merely wants to impose restrictions on the circulation of guns in America. I support whatever measures we can take to reduce gun violence because I do not want to see more innocent lives lost and continue becoming desensitized to gun violence.
Although gun violence is not completely preventable, America can still take preventive measures to decrease its likelihood. Something had to be done after the Sandy Hook shooting, and something has to be done now. We cannot ignore the importance of this issue, as so many Americans have already been affected by it. Instead, we should exercise our political agency by voting in elections to make sure that political officials in power represent the needs of the people.
Humanization through Empathy 