Gun Control: They Are Students. They Are Change.

Photo credit: Ilicia B. from Riverside Highschool

Gun control is the set of laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians.

Let’s get right to it. I genuinely don’t understand people’s anger at these kids for wanting to stand up and peacefully protest something they feel so strongly about. I mean, they feel so passionately about their guns not being taken away but they are ok with taking away someone else’s right? Oh, and before we try to flip the script, I don’t believe anyone is truly trying to take guns from anyone. And if we are truly paying attention, the word that is being used is control. Big difference.

One of the things I honestly can’t seem to wrap my mind around is the people who are knocking these kids and comparing these absurd school shootings to other types of tragedies. While all being compared are awful, why are we belittling the senseless deaths of the children in our schools? These teens are taking a stand and trying to make it known that they do not feel safe at school. The place where we make them go. Why should it be their responsibility to shine the light on every ongoing issue imaginable?

I’m blown away by the ignorance, and lack of respect being shown to this very moving representation of lives lost. How can anything besides ‘this has to stop’ be uttered by anyone? If you’re passionate about abortion, then, by all means, join a pro-life march. Children being shot in school is not even comparable. If you’re concerned about cancer in our children, then donate money to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, but don’t throw your words around and say “what about this”!

Gun control, security measures, increased guidance and counseling, whatever it may be, today, and every other day, we should be fighting for a way to keep our kids safe while they sit in a classroom. Sadly, I feel the point of today’s walkout will be missed.