Since the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School last year on December 14th which resulted in the death of 26 people, including 20 children, gun control has been a bubbling topic in both the media and politics.
Other stories of gun violence, particularly acts that were committed in public places such as schools, seemed to spark a national debate: should the government new implement laws, restricting the types of weapons sold to the public and should a background check be conducting before a person would be able to purchase a weapon?
Former congresswoman Gabby Giffords made an emotional speech for the Senate, pleading for stronger gun regulations. "Violence is a problem. Too many children are dying. Too many. We must do something..."
Gun violence is something that Giffords experienced for herself. In 2011, Giffords and 18 others were shot during a constituent outreach event, held in a supermarket parking lot in Arizona. Of the 18 people who were hurt, six died, including a nine-year-old girl. Giffords was shot in the head and since has been recovering from her injuries.
Since the incident, Giffords has become an activist for gun control.
USA Today reported that, "the Senate Judiciary Committee passed its first gun bill, setting up the first potential floor votes on the issue of gun violence in nearly a decade."
According to the article, the bill would "crack down on "straw purchasers" of weapons by making it a federal crime to buy a weapon and transfer it to someone barred from owning it."
USA Today also featured two articles, featured in the 'opinion' section, which gave conflicting views of the new Bill. One article explained that the new bill was necessary and fitting, saying that "since a shooter killed 26 children and adults in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, guns have been used to kill more than 2,500 people in the United States."
The other article argued that the new bill "sounds great on the surface,"arguing that instead of implementing new laws to combat gun trafficking, the old ones should just be enforce. The article further stated that the implementation of the new bill is because "Congress wants to be seen as "taking action"."
Jennifer Edwards, a student at Albright College gives her opinion on the controversial topic.
"I've been noticing more of it [media coverage on gun control] since the Sandy Hook incident. I see a lot people saying that you should have tighter restrictions on gun control, then I see people saying you shouldn't limit people's gun rights, or Second Amendment."
Edwards admits that her opinion falls "in the middle" of both views.
"I definitely think there should be tighter restrictions on purchasing guns, especially on what type you can get...but I know that it [buying guns] is in your Second Amendment rights and I don't think that should be violated."
Joshua Bey, a junior at Albright College regularly follows the gun control controversy by watching news stations such as CNN, MSNBC, and occasionally reading the New York Times.
Bey believes that the current gun laws implemented in the country are "good enough and just need to be enforced."
"There's no point in having new laws, if the old ones are not being enforced," Bey states.
When asked whether he believed that gun violence has been a bigger issue because of the media, Bey says, "I think gun control is a bigger issue because there are more laws than ever before that pertain to people's liberties."
"People now believe that they have the "right" to do anything," Bey states.
In lieu of the violent acts committed with firearms on schools, it has been reported that some states are training their teachers on how to protect themselves and their students against an attacker with weapons. It has also been reported that some schools are even considering arming their teachers and staff with weapons.
Bey says that he thinks it is too soon to begin training teachers and school staff on how to use firearms.
"I do believe that if there are more incidents where people do get shot at schools, then it will be a necessity."
Edwards states that she understands why it would be necessary to train teachers on how to use the guns. But admits that having a gun in class could be "extremely dangerous because a kid could get a hold of it [a gun].
Whatever side of the gun control debate that a person may find himself, both sides would agree that the safety of innocent civilians is the most important aspect on the controversy.
Nana Peprah, a junior at Albright College says that she just wants to feel safe. "It's not fair that I have to worry about my safety while on campus," Peprah states,
"I just want to feel safe."
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