Imagine you fly out to Las Vegas for a weekend getaway. You’re up on your feet, dancing as Jason Aldean is rocking out on the stage or you are walking down the strip, exploring the city. Now, imagine a catastrophic shift from electrifying to petrifying in the blink of an eye. 

Nearly 500 people were injured and 59 died in the deadliest mass shooting the United States has ever seen. A major question that arises from this mass shooting is, “Is this an appropriate time to talk about gun control?” 

“The thoughts and prayers of politicians are cruelly hollow if they are paired with continued legislative indifference.” Sen. Chris Murphy said,

This is as good a time as any to sit down and discuss gun control laws. In the past 10 years, the U.S. has experienced some of the deadliest and senseless mass shootings including: Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, Pulse Nightclub and recently, Las Vegas. When you factor in all of the mass shootings in that time, it is almost too many to count. It is certainly too many to comprehend, yet it is so many that we are almost finding them to be expected. Is it time? Do we owe it to these innocent men, women, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers as well as children to put an end to the slaughter and find out once and for all if stricter gun laws can decrease the chances of events like these from happening. 

There are no permits necessary to purchase rifles, shotguns or handguns, register firearms or carry around rifles and shotguns in the state of Pennsylvania, according to the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action. The only permit necessary is if a person wants to carry a handgun. 

The 2nd Amendment does say Americans have the right to bear arms; however, the full context of the 2nd Amendment is as follows: 

“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,” according to constituteproject.org.

The amendment specifically has been interpreted in so many ways that we have forgotten the actual meaning. To me, the 2nd Amendment is not our forefathers telling us that everyone has the right to stockpile personal arsenals, with free reign to carry them wherever they please. 

It speaks of a well-regulated militia formed to maintain the peace and security of our nation. 

Obviously, something needs to be done about the gun laws in this country. 

There have been too many mass shootings. If we create stricter background checks, significantly increase the price of guns, implement mandatory trainings before being able to own the gun, it will not completely stop people from illegally purchasing them, but it could decrease the number of guns in the hands of those who should not have them. This could ultimately lower the chances of yet another mass shooting from occurring. 

Something needs to be done now. No more excuses, no more fighting. A change needs to be made soon. If it does not work, try something different, although Americans should not be living in fear of going to see their favorite artist play in crowded venues. Nor should they have to live with the sorrow that comes with the loss of all those who have already been lost in one of the countless mass shootings in recent U.S. history. 

People are afraid of change. Many believe nothing good will come of it, so they want no alterations. Nevertheless, if we do not make a change, how do we know it is not going to work?

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