School Shootings

School shootings have become a very common thing in America in this day and age. It is very sad to think about that too. When my parents were young, the only thing they worried about at school was if they could go to the arcade after. Now, I have to worry about not being able to come home, ever again. This situation needs to be addressed, and addressed from a student’s perspective. Adults try to feel how students feel, but they can’t. It’s just not in them.

I would first like to start by making note that most of the shooters have been students, or previous students of those schools, or surrounding schools. You have to think, what could have made this person so hurt that they would want to hurt other people? Anxiety, depression, bullies, teachers, it could really be anything. We’ve all heard about Columbine, or if you haven’t, maybe Sandy Hook. Columbine’s shooters were Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Both seniors at that high school. Both students were depressed. They took their anger out on classmates and teachers, then eventually, themselves. No student, or human, should ever feel that this is the only option. That should never be a thought in someone’s head. Teachers should be there for students, and so should classmates. Sandy Hooke’s shooter was Adam Lanza, aged 20. His motive is inconclusive. He murdered children. Ages 6–8. And teachers also. You have to be able to think, “What could he have been going through that he wanted to take the lives of innocent children, 13 days before Christmas?” Right? My point being is that people need to be there for people. Maybe stuff like this wouldn’t happen so often if other people knew they were loved, or got told that every now and then. I feel that some teachers forget that students go through so much, but they just hand out assignments. A student can be crying in class and the teacher will just ignore it. People. Need. To. Be. There.

I would also like to bring up the second amendment. The second amendment clearly states, “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.” We as Americans rely on our rights for too much. We abuse them also. The second amendment says “being necessary to the security of a free State”. SECURITY. Not weapons. We always hear people saying “guns don’t kill people, people kill people,” and although that statement is true, something needs to be done. Evil people need to not be given the opportunity to take the lives of innocent children. To not be able to take parts of people’s families. Gun laws need to be stricter and people need to become as passionate about saving innocent lives as they are about upholding the second amendment. We live in a world now, where everywhere you turn, there is evil. Whether it be a bomb threat from terrorists, or gangs on the streets, it is everywhere. That is terrifying. I’m 13. I graduate in less than 5years. In about 9 years, I will be thinking about starting a family. I don’t want to bring a child into a world of evil. Into a world where I have to worry about if they will come home from school later that day or not. Gun laws need to be stricter, whether the second amendment states we have the right to bear arms or not.

One final thing I would like to talk about is people in general. People are becoming more and more evil. We all see it. From the bullies on the playground, to the terrorists on the other side of the world. I was in another teacher’s class a while back and there was a young boy crying. The teacher pulled him aside and talked to him. She asked what was wrong, trying to comfort him, but he kept repeating “I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be here.” These were the words of a young boy around the age of 9. He then continued to tell her about how there are kids on the playground who bully him and push him around. My friends and I sat there in disgust of these young kids. These are the kids that will soon be the face of the school, then college, then the world. Do we really want that? Do we want the kids who push down other kids representing our country in the years to come? I do not blame these kids directly, it has to have something to do with their upbringing. Parents have started to lay off their kids more recently. Letting 7th graders go out and party all night long. Letting their young daughters, who they swore up and down were going to be perfect, go and do things they shouldn’t. When it really comes down to it, we need parents, not friends. I have a very close relationship with both of my parents, and I tell them most everything. But, they still set boundaries and I obey them. I can admit I’m not the most perfect child, none of us are. It is impossible. But, we can still try. Children need to know that they always have a safe place, and adults need to be in charge of making that safe place. It could be them, a family member, a teacher, or a counselor. Anyone. They need to know they aren’t alone. Kids put in these kind of situations can become the kids who put others in this situation. I know people who have struggled with depression for years, who have thought about taking their own lives, and some who even have. I try to make sure they all know that they have a safe spot. Me. Whenever. Be that person. Aspire to be the person that everyone looks up to. To be that person that everyone can count on. Be. That. Person. Please. Evil surrounds this world, like darkness surrounds the night. Be that one bright star that lights up the night, or even the one that just helps.

Evil is everywhere we turn, especially in schools. School shootings have become too much of a common thing nowadays. What can we do to stop it? Can you be the change you wish to see in the world, or even just the start of it?