"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
When our founding fathers wrote that into the supreme law of our country, the types of guns took about 1-2 minutes to unload, maybe less if you were well trained. These guns were large and cumbersome, capable of only firing one shot at a time.
Let's talk about some of the worst school shootings in American history, starting in 1999.
- April 20th, 1999
- February 27, 2012
- December 14, 2012
Probably one of the worst shootings with 28 dead, Adam Lanza, a 20-year-old with mental issues opened fire on 20 children at Sandy Hook elementary. All of these children were between the ages of 6-7. Along with the 20 kids, six adults of the faculty died as well. The final two? His own mother and himself.
- February 14, 2018
Nicholas Cruz, 19, opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, from which he had recently been expelled from. He used an AR-15 assault rifle to kill 17 students and wound 14 others. Cruz set off a fire alarm to draw students out of their classrooms. Thankfully, this did not work, as the school had already had a fire drill earlier in the day. Cruz was arrested and was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.
These shootings are only a handful that are considered the worst school shootings in our history. This does not include children who got their hands on their parent's guns and killed one or two classmates, or a student who committed murder or suicide on school grounds.
So what do all of these shootings have in common?
1. The Shooters
All of these people had mental disorders of some kind, or exhibited early warning signs of possible homicidal tendencies. Some of these shooters had posted disturbing photos or posts. TJ Lane had written a poem of some type, painting him as a godlike figure that needed to kill off "peasants." Nicolas Cruz had posted photos of what appeared to be an arsenal of some type. Klebold had kept a diary in which he had committed his darkest thoughts and desires, mainly the desire to kill. Adam Lanza was just insane; his entire life was a warning sign.
2. The Weapons
The shooters all managed to get their hands on these guns quite easily. For example, Cruz purchased his gun without a hitch. An AR-15 assault rifle, without so much as a blink of an eye. What does that say about gun sales in our country? The others either had friends buy the guns for them or took them out of their homes.
I'm not suggesting that we take away our guns, but I am, however suggesting that we start backgrounds checks on people's mental health. There are so many things we could do to prevent further deaths, but the NRA and the crazily conservative "let me speak to the manager" types are holding out on any type of reform. Their interpretation of "the right to bear arms" has been blown way out of proportion and I can't help but wonder when they will wake up and realize that there needs to be a change.
About the Creator
Mary Caitlyn
As a 20 year old geek who tries to have a positive outlook in life, I'm all about acting, singing, art, and writing. I'm a feminist and mental health activist. Read my articles, and help me pay my tuition!
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