Loud pops ring through the open corridor at a school, but the reality isn’t understood until students start to run and scream. The physical and mental harms of victims are often overlooked, but in reality, this issue is more common than many people may think.
In the past few years, a multitude of events involving shootings have engulfed the news. In these last months alone, events such as the Brown University and MIT shooting, as well as the nearby West Valley Mall shooting, have occurred, increasing the discussion on gun rights.
Having a glimpse of big news stories, it is very likely to see new gun-related issues at least once a month. Change is needed and rules regarding gun control are vital for the protection of all Americans. Current events show the need for regulations with the possession of a firearm being more thorough through detailed security, background checks and certain limits on what people can own a gun.
School shootings have been a big issue in the United States over the last few years. Every day, 44 children are injured or killed via gunshots. In recent years, gun violence has been the leading cause of adolescent death in the United States with thousands of children, mostly students, affected every year.
Many Americans advocate for the right to bear arms as they claim the government should not infringe on a person’s right to bear arms. The right to bear arms specifies the amendment as a necessary check in case of a tyrannical government after American independence from Britain. Now, the amendment is being abused to a point where arms are used for harm rather than protection.
The United States of America is one of three countries in the world that constitutionally protects the right to bear arms. Although a few other countries lawfully allow people to own firearms, they all have much harsher restrictions and limitations compared to the United States. While America is more lenient, countries like Mexico that constitutionally recognize guns prioritize usage for self-defense only by requiring permits from the military, more limited access to firearm types and concealed carrying in specific circumstances.
In late 2025, these gun threats seem to be getting alarmingly close with threats at Carlmont High School and Menlo Atherton High School. Gun threats at Menlo Park schools, including an elementary and middle school, have caused a lockdown and resulted in the suspect’s suicide via gunshot wound. These situations represent an ever increasing need for school safety, bringing awareness to limiting or restricting gun rights in order to protect students.
In the interest of everyone, we must create a safe America, especially for students who are scared to go to school now. The goal is to make gun violence an issue of the past through more restrictions and increased security. It is a critical time to fight against gun violence so no person will have to worry about the trauma or harm of a gun when going to school or a mall. Guns were never intended to come with the expense of human lives but issues surrounding gun violence have shown there are major changes that need to be made.
