MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING! THIS ARTICLE MENTIONS SCHOOL SHOOTING! BE ADVISED!
On April 17, 2025, a tragedy struck the Florida State University campus, one that unfortunately is not a new occurrence in the United States. Since 1999, there have been over 420 school shootings in the United States and a great sum of those shootings happened during the 2021-22 school year. All of this violence and death needs to come to an end immediately. I refuse to be afraid of getting an education. The government needs to make gun laws stricter.
I am incredibly upset that I am growing up in a generation where teenagers and young adults fear being shot to death while trying to get an education. I have been in several lockdowns in the past few years and have genuinely thought, “This is it. This is real and I am going to die.” I cannot stand that fear and general anxiety anymore and no one should have to experience that.
Gun laws need to be a lot stricter than they currently are. No one should be allowed to purchase any semi automatic weapons, since they will only be used to hurt someone and even kill them. In a majority of the school shootings that have occured since 1999, the shooter(s) have used an automatic rifle to attack the schools. No military grade weapon such as this should be owned by a normal person. There should also be laws that require people to get a thorough background and mental health check before purchasing a gun. If a person has a known history of online threats or violent behavior, they should not ever be allowed to own a gun.
I do realize that some of the shooters have also obtained guns that are owned by other people living in their household. If someone owns a handgun for self defense or a hunting rifle, it should be locked away somewhere where only the owner knows where it is and how to access it. I am frankly troubled that someone would own a gun if they also knew that someone else they lived with was not exactly the most stable.
Overall, I am sick and tired of being scared. I am tired of politicians prioritizing guns over kids, educators and school staff members. We should not be afraid to learn and work.
Katie Germinder is a sophomore majoring in environmental studies and sustainability.
