America needs gun control

March+on+Washington+for+Gun+Control%2C+Jan.+23%2C+2013.+Source%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AMarch_on_Washington_for_Gun_Control_032.JPG

March on Washington for Gun Control, Jan. 23, 2013. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:March_on_Washington_for_Gun_Control_032.JPG

After the insufferable tragedies of 9/11, the United States completely revolutionized travel. The most apparent of these changes were in airports and the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The government also instituted the Patriot Act to intercept and obstruct terrorism.

There were a lot of things that changed for America after 9/11. So, why did nothing change after 49 people were killed in Orlando? Why did nothing change after 58 people were shot to death in Las Vegas? Twenty-six were killed in Texas last week, 14 killed in San Bernardino (2015), 27 children and educators in Newtown (2012); shall I continue? Because there are way more casualties than those listed.

Americans have a passion for guns. Owning a gun is a uniquely American trait. We don’t see the impulse to own guns in other countries like England, France and Australia–who, by the way, have a gun death toll that is 25 times less than the United States.

Critics of gun control continue to argue that all of these deaths come at the price of freedom. If 13,209 and counting gun deaths in 2017 are freedom, I don’t want that. America is getting deadlier, day by day, year by year. Our people our dying from an issue that we, as Americans, have perfect control over.

I do not want to unfairly strip one of his or her rights. Responsible, honest Americans should not be deprived of their right to gun ownership. However, we need better legislation, better regulation, better gun control. If you still cannot understand this notion, then ask yourself one question: how many more people have to die until you do?