In the United States, nearly one mass shooting occurred every day in 2015. A mass shooting is defined as four people dying by an armed weapon, and one of these happening nearly every day is sparking debate’s across the country on gun control. Stam and Woods return again to discuss this controversial topic.
McKenna: I am very against gun control laws. After analyzing the statistics, the number of mass shootings in this decade is no greater than the 20th century. The highest number of mass shootings was in the ____’s. A lot of gun related incidents occur in gun free zones, or places where there are stricter regulations. Also, 60% of violence with guns is from suicide. It is a tragedy, but it’s not mass shootings. Mass shootings only make up a small related portion of gun-related violence. I don’t think gun control is the answer to this. I think violence is a problem In the U.S. There are a lot of violent acts and terrorism. I think the focus needs to be on not taking away the guns, but teaching people right from wrong, and providing mental health care to patients who are suffering from mental illnesses. I’m a firm believer that to stop a bad guy with a gun, you need a good guy with a gun. And if a school shooting occurs, and there is a gun-man in the room and no one in the school has a gun, everyone in the school is helpless until the police show up. By that time it will most likely be too late. Having a school member who possesses a gun can certainly stop a shooter more rapidly. At least 12 times in recent history, a good guy with a gun has prevented a mass shooting in just a small sample of mass shooting situations.
Julia: My opinion is a little more progressive than what Americans are prepared for. I am totally okay with making baby steps until the citizens of America feel safe. I believe that there is no reason why the issues we are seeing need to be happening in this nation. We are the only developed nation in the world that is struggling with these issues. 350 is a ridiculous number. I want to ensure the safety of our children. In contrast to McKenna, If you have more guns, there is a greater likely that a gun related incident will happen, whether it’s a mistake or its intentional. If you have 2 guns instead of one, it is more likely a gun related incident will occur. That is just math. Maybe human nature has this great way of defying math. But I haven’t seen that thus far. I’m also not educated enough about the process of guns to make a good decision. But if a decision states that less guns will be sold in general, I will be all for it.
More installments of this debate will be released within the next few days. Check back again on Wednesday, January 6th for the next installment.
