Gun Violence in America: The "New Normal"

Another day, another shooting. This is the sad reality that Americans face on a day-to-day basis. Despite thousands of lives lost yearly due to mass shootings, little to nothing has been done to change gun laws. Here in America, your life is worth less than a gun. 

In light of the recent shooting at Michigan State University, where three young students lost their lives, let’s talk about how we can all adjust to America's ominous reality of constant gun violence. Just know this: your feelings are valid. 

To put things in perspective, gun violence — specifically mass and school shootings — is simply nonexistent in most developed countries around the world; it’s an American thing. In Ireland, the police force doesn’t even possess guns. If no one has guns, it removes the possibility of so much unwanted violence and crime. 

“There is not a day that I wake up and don’t think about the possibility of a mass shooting. I should be able to attend class without having morbid thoughts of being shot while learning. And, here in North Carolina, where you can legally carry a gun into a Target or wherever else you please, it can be very scary to think about. You would think our country would learn from the thousands of innocent children who have lost their lives from guns, but we continue to value the second amendment over the youth of this country,” said Jordyn P., a junior at Elon University, when asked about her feelings regarding gun violence in America. 

In a climate where politicians control most of our fate, it is easy to feel powerless in this situation. Unfortunately, the momentum for gun reform slows down as we move further away from traumatic events, but we have the power to invoke change as long as we keep the momentum rolling. 

In 2018, after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 lives were taken, the March For Our Lives movement took off. This influential gun reform movement was launched by just a couple of motivated students after they experienced trauma that no student should have to endure. Five years later, they have not stopped fighting for life and are a great organization to get involved with. You can partake in little things like participating in a march or rally to generate traction, helping others register to vote, signing quick action petitions that can support universal background checks, banning assault weapons, or starting a fundraiser. You can make a difference. 

Whatever you’re feeling, just know you’re not alone.