A Place of Education or a Place of Violence?

By Opinion Editor 6 years ago

“More guns” is not a solution now, nor will it ever be one.

On Valentine’s Day this year, my friends and I were drinking wine in the safe confines of my room. Minutes later, as we laughed and cried over trivial but oh-so-important things, we saw the news in Florida: 17 people were shot at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Our blood ran cold.

Imagine cowering beneath a table as armed students parade through the halls. Imagine going to school each day with the fear that any child could be carrying guns in his or her backpack. Imagine going into lockdown. In a small town like St. Andrews, students do not have to worry about the immediate threat of guns. Fortunately, we are not plagued by the manipulated Second Amendment which so many use as a shield for their arguments against gun regulation.

The numerous shootings that have happened in America aren’t waking people up, despite the outcries; after Florida, people rejected thoughts and prayers, instead advocating for change that should have happened decades ago. Unfortunately, some people – including the figurehead of American politics – find it too easy to cling to their beloved Constitution, and pass off deaths as simply more in a list far too long.

Photo: The Daily Dot

On my 13th birthday in Connecticut, the same thing happened. I did not know until I got back home that children younger than my brother had been tragically shot and killed at Sandy Hook by a man with easy access to a gun. My birthday dinner was surrounded by screens that blared out the tragedy. Although it would have been nice not to think about it, this is a reality, and we cannot become immune to it merely because of its shocking repetition.

Guns are as easily available as sugar in America. Walk into Walmart and they stand, almost proudly, next to children’s toys, with backdrops of the banner and ‘cute’, hideous names that somehow lure beloved NRA supporters to them. The fact that someone can legally buy a weapon and keep it in their car, or their bag, is ludicrous, and far from any resemblance of ‘safety’.

So when Trump began talking about arming teachers, this sent a wave of fear through many people. He said: “This would be obviously only for people who were very adept at handling a gun, and it would be, it’s called concealed carry, where a teacher would have a concealed gun on them. They’d go for special training and they would be there and you would no longer have a gun-free zone.” His flippant language, his “obviously” – as though this is a simple solution to a problem which is, in reality, far more complex than his vocabulary will ever be.

After Sandy Hook, my high school in Connecticut installed bullet proof windows in the cafeteria; now they have the occasional policeman outside. Some schools do security checks. But the reality is that removing the guns removes the problem – an idea that so many cannot grasp, as instead they cling to their weapons that keep them ‘safe’, regardless of so many children that have been killed.

Photo: Irish Central

Educational institutions should not be a place of violence, of firearms, or of fear – nowhere should be. We are lucky here in that we can sit in seminars, lectures, the library, without feeling as though any student could walk in with a gun and wreak havoc for no reason. When Trump says, “a ‘gun free’ school is a magnet for bad people,” what he should instead be thinking is how to give the right help to those who turn to weapons. His statement doesn’t exactly fall in line with the infamous NRA’s, either: “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” Placing guns in the arms of teachers will not solve anything.

I read an article last week in which a veteran talked about the absurdity of arming teachers. He wrote, “This isn’t a movie where bullets always miss the hero. These teachers aren’t action stars.” He stressed that no one can predict how an individual will react in a situation – fight or flight. We cannot introduce more weapons into the system; we need to weed them out. The US, in 2015, had nearly one gun for every individual. This is not “liberty and justice for all,” but instead introducing fear into the hearts of the young, innocent children who go to school each day for their education.

It is ludicrous in 2018 that we are even toying with this idea. Thankfully, here, we do not have to worry about our town’s safety, but the mere diversity of the university means that almost everyone is affected. It is a harsh reminder for a lot of things: love those close to you, be thankful for each day, be kind to everyone, and do not be apathetic and rest on this issue. We must advocate for gun laws and not settle for the arming of more people.

Comments

comments

Tags: , , ,

76 thoughts on “A Place of Education or a Place of Violence?”

  1. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after looking at some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m certainly delighted I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently.

    Reply

  2. 프라그마틱 슬롯에 대한 정보가 정말 유용했어요! 더불어, 제 사이트에서도 프라그마틱과 관련된 새로운 내용을 찾아보세요. 함께 지식을 나누면 좋겠어요!
    프라그마틱슬롯

    프라그마틱 관련 소식 항상 주시고 있어요! 또한, 제 사이트에서도 프라그마틱에 대한 정보를 얻을 수 있어요. 함께 발전하며 지식을 나눠봐요!

    https://www.12315es.cn/
    https://www.12315yc.cn/
    https://www.12378za.cn/

    Reply

  5. Hmm it looks like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any tips and hints for newbie blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.

    Reply

  7. That is very fascinating, You’re an overly professional blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look ahead to looking for more of your excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!

    Reply

  8. I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something too few people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I came across this in my search for something regarding this.

    Reply
  11. Pingback: joker gaming

  12. Hello! I simply wish to give you a huge thumbs up for your excellent info you’ve got here on this post. I will be returning to your website for more soon.

    Reply

  18. May I simply say what a relief to find someone that really understands what they are talking about on the internet. You certainly realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular since you surely possess the gift.

    Reply

  23. You’re so interesting! I don’t think I’ve read through a single thing like that before. So nice to discover someone with original thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with a little originality.

    Reply
  25. Pingback: Film institutionnel Nantes

  26. wonderful points altogether, you simply gained a new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any positive?

    Reply
  27. Pingback: montreal jobs

  33. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting identical RSS problems? Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks.

    Reply

  42. Thanks for your write-up. My partner and i have usually noticed that a lot of people are desperate to lose weight when they wish to appear slim plus attractive. Nonetheless, they do not generally realize that there are additional benefits just for losing weight also. Doctors claim that over weight people have problems with a variety of health conditions that can be directly attributed to the excess weight. The good news is that people who’re overweight as well as suffering from diverse diseases are able to reduce the severity of their illnesses by losing weight. It’s possible to see a progressive but marked improvement in health while even a bit of a amount of weight loss is achieved.

    Reply

  46. I blog frequently and I seriously appreciate your content. The article has truly peaked my interest. I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.

    Reply

  54. You’re so awesome! I don’t think I have read something like that before. So good to discover another person with genuine thoughts on this subject. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality.

    Reply

  57. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the upcoming also. In fact your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own site now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a good example of it.

    Reply

  63. May I just say what a comfort to discover a person that truly understands what they’re discussing on the internet. You actually understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people ought to read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you are not more popular since you definitely possess the gift.

    Reply

  64. Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

    Reply

  71. I think other web site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and wonderful user genial style and design, let alone the content. You are an expert in this topic!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE STAND