Dear Future President,

About 32 people out of every million people in America die of a car accident. Deaths by gun have now skyrocketed to meet this number of people (Sharon LaFraniere and Emily Palmer). 12,196 people have died from gun violence as of October 30, 2016 (Gun Violence Archive). As of September, Chicago reported 507 homicides. In one city alone, 507 people had been killed. 114 sessions of congress have come and gone. Every December 16th, they hold a moment of silence for the Newtown School Shooting more commonly known as the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting. This school shooting took in place December 14, 2012. Adam Lanza went into the elementary school where his mother worked and shot 20 kids, 6 adults (CNN Library). They recognize something is wrong but will not do anything to fix it. Congress continues to disagree on gun laws yet more and more people are being killed by guns each and every day.

With one pull of a trigger, someone’s life could end. On Arthur Strang’s street, there had been several armed robberies. People were knocked out with guns and one dog had been killed. Mr. Strang bought a small revolver to protect himself and his family. He bought the gun out of fear and had good intentions with buying the gun, but things took a quick turn. Arthur’s son Neil had a friend very interested in this revolver. Neil took his friend to see the gun. Just before his friend could ask if it was loaded, Neil dropped the gun. One bullet struck his friend and killed him(Gottfried). A gun had now harmed a child.

On the opposite hand, a gun could save a life. Hannah LaMarca was walking home with an office friend one night when a strange man jumped out of the bushes and demanded her purse. When she hesitated, he hit her with brass knuckles. Hannah then bought a “lady revolver” to protect herself. One night, she put her protection to use. Miss LaMarca was home alone one night when she heard a noise in her housemate’s bedroom. She grabbed her tiny revolver and kicked the door open. A man climbed through the window and launched himself at Hannah. She fired three shots to protect herself, killing the man (Gottfried). A gun had now saved a life.

Guns do not just affect one or two people; they affect many when used to end a life. On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 others inside an Orlando nightclub, Pulse. Not only were victims affected, but their families and friends were hurt as well. When someone commits a crime, they often do not think about everyone involved. It is never just the victim; it is everyone associated with him. Omar Mateen was shot and killed by Orlando Police that night meaning many were also saved with this weapon (Lizette Alvarez, Richard Perez-Pena, and Christine Hauser).

Many people around the United States have been saved with the use of a gun. On October 5, 2016, a man disobeyed a Texas law that said, “concealed weapons cannot be carried into bars (Newsmax),” shot two of four armed robbers who could have harmed people within EJ’s Bar in Houston, Texas. The man then disappeared, but was still considered a hero because his gun saved people in the bar that night (Michelle Iracheta).

The government could just ban guns altogether in the U.S.; however, people in America that do not support stricter gun laws would just become angrier and motivated to obtain guns illegally. 52% of our population supports gun rights where only 46% supports gun control (Kyle Becker). That 52% would be extremely angry with the government if they restricted gun use. This could cause riots, strikes, violence of other kinds, and more law disobedience in response. Citizens of America have a right to own guns, which means taking them away is violating the Second Amendment. Banning guns in America is just one solution to this large problem.

The Second Amendment says citizens have the right to bear arms, but that does not mean strictly guns. Guns are used the most out of any weapon to commit crimes and end lives. The Second Amendment states, “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 (Cornell University).” To bear arms does not necessarily mean to own a semi- automatic gun to shoot several bullets at a time. The types of guns to be sold in the United States should be limited to a few handguns and hunting weapons because It only takes one bullet to end a life.

5 kids in my area died tragically within the past year. 4 committed suicide, 3 were friends of mine, and 2 deaths were results of guns. Because of continued senseless tragedies, people like me are sent into stages of grief and suffering due to the fact that important people are now absent from our lives. Although these types of events may only last a day, they affect people for their entire lives. I cannot understand why congress continues to battle with gun control while guns are continuing to kill many. Fix this issue with extensive background checks and taking guns from people that should not have them. Whether legal citizen or illegal immigrant, those inhabiting the United States are still part of our country. Therefore, the American Government should do all it possibly can to protect its people by reevaluating who can obtain guns, who can sell them, what types should be available to the public, and the process in which a person may obtain a gun.

Sincerely,

Madison M