there is an accidental discharge, automatic weapons cause much damage. Mass murders
committed with guns that have high-capacity ammunition magazines are common occurrences.
Some of these happenings are not even revealed in the mainstream media, while those that attract
national attention are exceedingly heinous. The killing of more than twenty people in an
elementary school in 2015, in Connecticut, and the murder of forty-nine individuals in a
nightclub in 2016, are some of the incidents that have caused a public uproar (Gale, 2022). In
2017, close to sixty people died in Las Vegas, while in 2018, fourteen students and their faculty
members perished in Florida at Douglas High School (Gale, 2022). In 2022, twenty-one persons
died in a shooting at Robb Elementary.
Despite the many deaths occasioned by gun violence, especially in schools, these
incidents have sparked short-lived and fruitless discussions regarding the need for stricter gun
control. Most politicians from the leading political parties opt to offer their prayers as they fear
reprisal from the National Rifle Association. Politicians have evaded the issue of legislating
reasonable measures, including a ban on assault weapons and expanded background checks.
President Biden has issued several executive orders regulating certain firearms and encouraged
states to pass “red flag” laws that control firearm possession for people considered a danger in
society. The executive orders also control the supply of guns with no serial numbers, called
“ghost guns.” However, many still believe that a lot should be done to keep schools, which are
usually the main targets, safe. In a 2021 Pew Research poll, 53% of Americans wanted more gun
control laws, and only 14% wanted less strict laws (Schaeffer, 2021). These figures indicate that
many Americans wish for increased firearm regulations.