What Effect Will Handguns in Schools Have, if Carried by Law Abiding Citizens With Legal Permits, Essay Example

Young people in the US have access, use and become victims of firearms more than ever before. The increase of accessibility of guns creates a greater possibility of youth being injured or killed because of a gunshot wound. Some States provide strong restrictions on gun ownership while others see it more of a self protection tool. In some cases parents are hold liable when youth gain access to guns stored at home. Therefore, debate on whether schools should be gun-free or not remains open and highly important.

There are as many opinions as there are people. In some instances when reading news reports about another gun shooting in school and how many were killed and injured, people become more prone to allow carrying guns in schools. There is a wide range of accidents that were prevented by means of someone carrying gun and being able to fight back at the juvenile criminal. For instance, some people honestly support that “it should be priority for Americans to uphold their right to own and carry guns.” (Hathaway, 2008) Sometimes lives are being saved when people in schools carry guns and are able to use them when the situation arises. However, what is very important is to consider since when schools became something more than just an educational institution that teaches kids how to become good citizens and gives them opportunity to learn new things and decide what they want to become in the future? Why and when did schools turn into battle field where children can solve their personal issues by means of guns?

I think what unites people who are pro or con guns is one and only question of safety. People care about safety of their beloved ones, children and relatives. They want to minimize potential harm and prevent wrongdoings towards them. And probably the most right measure to decide whether or not guns are good idea to carry around is to study statistics that show crime in relation to gun control laws.

When the horrible accidents of shooting happen in schools they take lives of people. And leave others guessing why it happened. In the first place I think is important to examine why the gun was brought to high school and what was the reasoning. It is important not to gather together and bring guns as a self protection tool afterwards but more to examine and analyze why that particular person used it. It is essential to prevent such events than use measures to protect yourself afterwards.

After the Columbine High School massacre took place, years later FBI was able to analyze and decide on the reasoning that caused two boys to kill their schoolmates and faculty. “There was overwhelming evidence. Columbine should have been prevented,” said Brian Rohrbough, whose son, Daniel, was one of the first to die.” (Morales, 2004) The words of Rohrbough are supported by number of evidence and warning signals that were taking place year before the shooting occurred. Therefore, my main point is it is better to prevent the accident than later carry guns around as a matter of safety.

In majority of gun shooting accidents other people were aware of the plan of juvenile criminals long before it happened. Most attackers were and are being involved in threatening behavior prior to the incident that must cause concern of people around them and indicate that they need help. In many cases such children have difficulties coping with personal losses and even make attempts of suicide. Some students were treated wrong and unjust by their schoolmates and friends.  These reasons show the psychological and educational gaps that children undergo at early stages of their lives. There are things that they lack and that is the main thing that should be taken care about.

Since when did high schools become places of massacres and shooting? Guns in the first place should be forbidden to carry by children, especially underage kids. But as opinions differ, sometimes parents allow this. They have their reasoning and it is understandable. But if so, there should be more strict measures on the procedure. If we are taking about children carrying guns, how can we guarantee that a person of 15 years can clearly understand the consequences of his or her behavior? I believe that if we speak about the permission of guns, it should be only allowed to faculty members and in cases that clearly prove the necessity of such action. “To make our schools safe for our students to learn, all options should be on the table” (The Associated Press, 2006)

I partially agree with the statement in the light of shootings that already occurred and might have become the example for others to follow in the future. Guns carried by the adults it a different thing than guy in hands of a child who is not fully aware of outcomes of its usage. However, I believe it is more important to pay attention to the root of the problem than its result. Such situation should be the signal to readapt our educational system and system of personal values. Some children simply do not get enough attention and care from people around them and it’s our responsibility to make them feel in school like at their second home. Like before and everywhere schools must be gun-free zones. To prevent incidents, there must be special measures and checks at the entrance of schools. There must be metal detectors at schools that will allow security and safety checks and will guarantee safer environment in the educational institution. Schools must stay the safe place it is where children spend most of their time at the early stage of their lives. There should be a strong collaboration between lawmakers, school authorities and criminal justice personnel to create and make such systems work. It is also important to gain support from parents and psychologists who must clearly understand the situation. If we allow some children or faculty to bring guns to school, it might cause a chain reaction. And I believe school is a first place where weapons must be forbidden.

It may be a fire today, but tomorrow it will be only ashes, goes in a proverb. Children are our future and we must protect them. We shall not allow our kids to learn what a weapon is on the early stage of their development. Otherwise, the consequences of such new approach might result into terrible outcome. Our world is not perfect and you never know what can happen to you the next minute. But if there are some things that we can protect and make safe, we must act now. Let’s not make children learn something that they might not even experience during their lives.

References

Hathaway, R. (2008). Gun control or not: Both sides of the issue. Retrieved April 5, 2009, from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/861277/gun_control_or_not_both_sides_of_the.html?cat=75/

Morales, T. (2004). Columbine today: Tears, anger. CBS News. Retrieved April 5, 2009, from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/20/earlyshow/main612726.shtml/

The Associated Press. (2006). Wis. lawmaker wants teachers to carry guns. MSNBC. Retrieved April 5, 2009, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15142930/