THE MARCH FOR OUR LIVES MOVEMENT: TEENS FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES

GUN CONTROL AND THE RIGHT TO LIFE

Can you imagine your child, your brother, your sister, your cousin, your friend going to school to build their future and future is that one thing they will never see? That is atrocious, isn’t it?

Gun related violence is an enormous issue in the USA. About 64% of the homicides is gun related and the majority of the victims are mass shootings victims.

This data is incredibly disturbing to look at, especially, when you realize that mass shootings involve the ones happening in schools (like the one in Parkland), places where people should feel and be safe.

But why school shootings are so frequent in the USA? I think there are three main reasons.

1. First of all, everyone owns a gun in the US and if they don’t, they can easily buy one in the market in the corner of the street. Anyone can potentially become a shooter so America needs to approve a law that limits the sale of weapons to everybody.

2. The second point is related to the school system and I’m talking about bullying. The thought that shooters in schools are just some kind of psychopaths walking by, having a psychotic break and killing kids and teachers is very common but, most of the times, it is not what actually happens.

The ones who fire guns in schools are just like everyone else but, maybe, something like being bullied pushed them over the edge and made them commit such horrible crimes.
Schools could try to dedicate just the 10% of the students’ school life for programs that educate them to non-violence and to speak out when they are bullied and when they see someone being bullied.

This leads me to the third point which is mental health.

3. Mental health should be a priority everywhere starting from school. Being able to ask for help and getting some from people who are qualified is fundamental. 

Everyone has the right to life and it should never be violated. 

That is why there were protests all around the US especially after the Parkland shooting.

Teens from Parkland school organized the March for Our Lives movement and I think it is very brave of them to sacrifice years of their youth to stand up for such an important cause and to actually save lives.

KENDRA (4sc)

Parkland Shooting Victims

A VERY IMPORTANT WAR AMERICANS MUST FIGHT

According to the 2011 small arms survey, in America there is an avarage of 88 guns per 100 people. The gun control Act of 1968 requires that people must be at least 18 to have shotguns, rifles and ammunition. Instead,  to have all other firearms you must be at least 21.

There are also people who aren't allowed to have a gun, for example fugitives, and people marked as dangerous for the society.

The problem is that even though you can't buy a gun, you may find one easily. The campaign to prevent gun violence estimates about 114,994 people shot every year.

People are afraid of danger, so they prefer to have a gun in their house. Then, there are also people who benefit from gun selling. Those people are very powerful, and they aren’t easy to fight. 

Presidents who tried to (like Obama did) didn't succeed. There are movements of people (like the teenagers from “March for Our Lives") fighting for gun control, but they aren't actually expected to obtain something, because the present government is definitely against gun control.

I think that,  even though they haven't succeeded so far, they shouldn't stop fighting. Having more regulations about gun control is a very important war Americans must fight and like other wars it 'll take time and efforts.

LUCREZIA M. (4sc)

This is the post we worked on at school from our teacher's blog