Congress, Your Thoughts and Prayers Do NOT Block Bullets | Teen Ink

Congress, Your Thoughts and Prayers Do NOT Block Bullets

June 12, 2018
By jessicad3456 BRONZE, Farmington, Connecticut
jessicad3456 BRONZE, Farmington, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

Six years ago, in a small state I call home, a man fired a barrage of shots inside Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT and forever altered the environment I used to call “safe.” Since then, it is distressing and unacceptable to know that very little has changed. Three short months ago on a cheerful day of love, kids are once again advised to run to the nearest closet for safety from bullets. They call their parents, friends, and loved ones to say one last “I love you,” before they are silenced. Time passes but the same situation continues, now more often than ever. We live in the 21st century where I am devastated to say that the sight of a school shooting on the news does not shock me anymore due to the lack of action from our nation's leaders. Thoughts and prayers are not enough to replace one life, let alone 17. The only thing that will create a healthier and safer country are changes to gun legislation to protect future victims from mass shootings in schools.

For the United States, the tragic shooting in Florida should be a wakeup call for lawmakers, students, and teachers. Carmen Lo, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas writes, “Ten minutes before dismissal, the fire alarm rang for the second time that day. My classmates all wore the same confused expression as I did as we walked out. But then, our confusion became panic when we realized that this was very real and was not the active shooter drill that we had been anticipating. We heard every shot echoing across the campus. We were ushered back into our classrooms and we huddled together, scared and worried for the safety of our friends, for another two and a half hours.” The shooter killed over 10 students in six minutes, only to leave empty desks and endless sorrow in a supposedly safe learning place. If the sound of gunshots being present in the daily life of a student is not enough to call Congress to take action, I am not sure what would be, but there has been nothing substantial.

I am not the only person connected to education and concerned about this issue. A few weeks ago another shooting occurred at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas which sparked the debate on gun control in the United States again, and there is talk about teachers being armed with weapons to stop an attack. Contrary to the government’s desire, Deb Ciamacca, an AP government teacher at Conestoga High School in Berwyn, Pennsylvania says otherwise to President Trump. “It’s an insane idea. To anyone who’s ever taught before, it’s just ludicrous.” It seems as though lawmakers will do anything to avoid changing current gun laws to prevent an incident from taking place again in the future. However, U.S. citizens are offering solutions, but are being drowned out by politicians forcing a policy not favored by the public. In a poll taken by Quinnipiac University, 97% responded stating they requested background checks as a requirement for all gun buyers. Some states do not even require background checks prior to obtaining a firearm, so our government is allowing this omission to be a prime reason for future mass shootings instead of changing current laws.

As the number of mass shootings in American schools continue to rise, it is unclear whether any significant change will be made, but I hope my voice can make a difference. Are we blinded by the power of owning a dangerous weapon? Our founding fathers wrote the Second Amendment to give us the right to protect ourselves, not to open fire on innocent victims. Regardless of your thoughts on gun control, I leave you with this: Since when has the existence of guns become more important than the lives of children?



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This article has 11 comments.


on Aug. 29 2023 at 7:50 pm
Galactic-Customs BRONZE, Fayetteville, Tennessee
4 articles 0 photos 5 comments
If a criminal who is intent on committing a crime, what will stricter gun laws do to stop them? Murder is already illegal, right? If they already are willing to go through with it, what's to stop them from either finding another weapon, or finding a gun illegally? They could just find a illegal weapons dealer, saving them time, money, and probably be able to get a full auto weapon instead of just a semi-automatic(for those who don't know, semi auto means that only one bullet gets fired when you pull the trigger. full auto is a machine gun, which citizens cannot legally on without a permit. and the background checks for a machine gun are extensive enough that a criminal can surely not pass... you also have to pay a tax of around 4,000 dollars extra). My point is, if a criminal is set on breaking a law regardless of how hard you make it for them to legally buy a gun, they will simply find a more creative and possibly even deadlier way to go through with their goals. Additionally, if(let's assume that every law abiding citizen would agree) you make it against the law to own guns outright, you disarm the good guys, who are responsible, and as I stated before, the criminals already have no issue with breaking laws(hence the will to murder) and will be shooting fish in a barrel. I hope that I am explaining things logically, and do not come across as ignorant. The second amendment will not be infringed. ANY government or organization that seeks to repeal it is tyrannical.

gabs_w SILVER said...
on Mar. 6 2023 at 10:29 pm
gabs_w SILVER, Portland, Oregon
9 articles 0 photos 94 comments
People need to hear this. Our nations priority should be kids lives — not guns. Thank you for writing this!

on Dec. 4 2022 at 1:12 am
elsinore BRONZE, Poway, California
4 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"Stars are like diamonds in the sky and wishes make them sparkle" -Evelyn Loeb

Thank you for writing this. People need to hear this

florida_boy said...
on Mar. 22 2021 at 2:14 pm
florida_boy, Grant, Florida
0 articles 0 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt

It's NOT only guns that are used to commit mass murders/homicides. Say, there was a mass stabbing. Is the government going to ban knives? No, because they are not made specifically to stab people; they serve many more important purposes. Same with guns. Guns are not manufactured and used only to kill people, they have many more important uses, like hunting, self-defense, etc.

Another thing is that no matter how hard the government tries to ban guns, there is still going to be a presence of guns. Guns can be found almost anywhere. In stores, in houses, in cars, and even some illegal immigrants are bringing guns across the border.

I completely agree with you that these shootings are tragic, but banning guns does not solve the problem. Aside from that, this article was written very well and was very persuasive, which makes a good piece of political literature.

on Jan. 29 2020 at 10:30 am
landonion113-cloud, Chattanooga, Tennessee
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
" an eye for an eye and you make the world go blind" Ghandi

well the only problem is, is that no matter what restrictions guns are still present. Let's say you do get completely rid of guns in america, no defenses...no nothing , but wait the military you may ask and I say hmmm.. foolish because get rid of guns calls for military gun restrictions so we are screwed any way unless we do complete screenings like full background checks

Robert214 GOLD said...
on Jan. 21 2020 at 1:44 am
Robert214 GOLD, Guangzhou, Other
11 articles 0 photos 45 comments

Favorite Quote:
Make the best of what is within our power, and take the rest as it occurs. -Epictetus

I agree with you! The American gun policy is so unfortunate! It is quite ironic that some politicians view the right to hold guns as more important than these innocent kids' right to live.

igeurytas said...
on Mar. 25 2019 at 12:56 pm
igeurytas, Plano, Texas
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
All the kids in this world could die and I wouldn't give up a single round

on Feb. 5 2019 at 1:40 pm
delaneyjanz BRONZE, Fort Smith, Arkansas
1 article 0 photos 2 comments
Great writing, i agree with this wholeheartedly and hope that others are just as passionate on this so there will be a true change.

WK9232015 GOLD said...
on Oct. 5 2018 at 8:13 pm
WK9232015 GOLD, Amherst, Massachusetts
10 articles 0 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
Never underestimate a well read woman

Amazing piece. Your writing is amazing and I completely agree with you! The last line really makes your point well.

on Sep. 28 2018 at 1:35 pm
Dani_Higareda PLATINUM, Hanahan, South Carolina
20 articles 0 photos 109 comments

Favorite Quote:
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
- Winnie the Pooh

You have a talent for making people agree with you. I totally agree with you on this subject. Gun control should be more restricted. We shouldn't get to the point where lives are lost to make changes.

on Sep. 11 2018 at 12:54 pm
Rhiannon_4 DIAMOND, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
62 articles 87 photos 200 comments

Favorite Quote:
If you chase two rabbits, you will lose them both.
- Native American proverb

Do not go gentle into that good night but rage, rage against the dying of the light.
- Dylan Thomas

What is past is past -- it is the present and the future that concern us.
- Hiawatha, founder of the Iroquois Confederacy

@jessicad3456 I too am from Connecticut, and I completely agree with everything you said in this article. Great job!