The Alarming Acceptance of Gun Violence

On September 4, tragedy occurred at Apalachee High School in Georgia. A 14 year-old boy opened fire on his high school, injuring nine students and teachers and killing four. This has been the 49th school shooting of 2024, with still four months of the year remaining. Since 2008, the number of annual school shootings has steadily increased, excluding a major dip in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. In 2023, there were 82 school shootings compared to the 18 school shootings in 2008. 

At a Phoenix campaign stop on September 5, a day following the Apalachee shooting, former president Donald Trump’s vice presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, stated that unfortunately school shootings are “a fact of life.” Vance’s comment demonstrates how normalized school shootings have become in America. While gun violence is on the rise, the fact that a major political figure accepts these shootings as inevitable events is extremely alarming. Leaders are expected to advocate for change on the behalf of the American people—not just not just acknowledge the flaws in our country without expressing a desire to improve upon them. 

America has become numb to these travesties. We have accepted school shootings to be a part of our nation’s narrative, but it does not have to be this way.

Gun control—a set of laws or policy that regulates the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians—has been an ongoing conversation since our country’s birth and is deeply intertwined with American politics.

On September 10, current vice president Kamala Harris and Trump met at the presidential debates. They debated topics from immigration to the economy but barely touched upon the gun control issue. The only mention of guns was when Harris stated that both her and vice presidential nominee Tim Walz were gun owners. As the debate occurred only a week after the Apalachee shooting, it could have been a crucial moment to discuss gun control. Allowing the presidential candidates to share their differing views on the issue provides voters with an understanding of each candidate’s priorities. Evidently, gun control is not a top priority for either candidate, as neither mentioned it during the momentous debate. 

Harris revealed her own desensitization by proudly stating her and Walz’s gun ownership just a week after four children died in a shooting. In addition, in a recent interview with Oprah, Harris mentioned that anyone breaking into her home is “getting shot.” While Harris may be using her gun ownership status as a political measure against Trump’s claims of Harris’s plans to entirely take away guns, Harris’s offhanded comments on this serious issue demonstrates the normalization of gun usage in American society. 

Yet, despite the recent events, Harris has been a strong advocate for gun control throughout her political career. In her campaign, she continuously called upon Congress to pass universal background checks and an assault weapons ban. At a recent teacher’s union event, she said “We want to ban assault weapons and they want to ban books,”  Additionally, she oversees the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, created by President Joe Biden in 2023.  

On the other hand, Trump says that if elected, he will repeal gun control measures implemented by the Biden administration. The measures enacted by the Biden administration include expansion on background checks for gun buyers aged 18-21 and incentives for states to pass red flag laws, allowing groups to petition courts to remove weapons from people deemed a threat to themselves or others. Despite Trump’s now two assassination attempts, he has remained a strong supporter of the second amendment, which provides Americans the right to bear arms. However, the lack of gun control measures in America comes at a cost. 

Since January of 2024, nearly 11,600 lives have been lost due to gun violence. As of September 5, there have been over 385 mass shootings this year. That is more shootings than there are days from January 1 to September 5. Gun violence is spiraling out of control. Between 2013 and 2022, the rate of gun deaths has increased 36 percent. Not enough is being done.

By not addressing gun control or even acknowledging school shootings in the presidential debate, America’s sense of urgency, or lack thereof, is brought to light. Politicians are stagnant in their desires for improvement. They time and time again can say how tragic these school shootings are, how horrible they are, but if they don’t take proper action—what value does their lamentation hold? 

I am scared to go to school. I am scared that Stuyvesant will be the next victim of an unspeakable event. I am in constant fear for the safety of my cousins, my friends, my fellow students, and the youth of our country. School is supposed to be a haven of learning where students are able to grow, not only academically but also emotionally. If students feel unsafe in their environment, they will not be able to prosper. 

Voters, students, and people who share the same concerns and urgency should call upon their local representatives and continue advocating for action. At the end of the day, we must convince our leaders to ban assault weapons to prevent this gun violence epidemic.