On October 1, 2017, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock of Mesquite, Nevada opened gunfire on a crowd of about 22,000 concert goers from the 32nd floor of a next-door Resort and Casino, killing 58 people and seriously injured almost 500 in a span of 10 to 15 minutes.
This is not the first time something like this has happened in our country, with attacks like this or the Columbine and Sandy Hook shootings raising the question that is often asked; what should be done about gun control?
20-year-old Business Administration major Abby Walls from Southampton had said, “I definitely think there should be more restrictions and background checks. I understand that it is our 2nd amendment right, but I don’t think that should be as relevant or significant today. Just because it’s written in our constitution doesn’t mean it’s right.”
Although some students on campus are entirely for the eradication of weapons in our country, some like. 20 year old Business Administration major Michael Petrino from Warminster, PA disputed, “How do you think a lot of these people who shouldn’t be allowed to own guns get them? Not over the counter, that’s for sure…they get them online or on the black market. If you ban guns entirely, how would someone like me protect myself from some psycho that figured out how to get one? I wouldn’t be able to.”
Self-defense is one of the biggest concerns for students here at Bucks, arguing that if you take away their guns, then you’re taking away their freedom as well. Petrino also said, “My whole point is, if you ban guns from civil Americans, then the criminals that get them illegally will just take advantage of the situation. More background checks should be administered, and they should definitely stop selling guns at Walmart.”
18-year-old Liberal Arts major Ilan Ladyzhensky from Newtown, PA said, “I’m against gun control, but I’m not the type of person to be protesting on the streets for people to have the right to bear arms. My whole family owns guns, it’s probably like 5 guns per man ratio. I do believe that people should be allowed to have guns, but they should have more restrictions. I just bought a lever action rifle with just my driver’s license…it seemed a little too easy.”
Possible changes to gun laws in the United States have been both considered and under fire recently.
Since 2016, Nevada las makers have been in the process of implementing stricter background checks for the purchase of weapons. The problem is the legalities behind, as Nevada would have been one of the first states to implement a new standard of rules and regulations.
The attorney general Adam Laxalt R determined that the bill in which they wanted to pass couldn’t be enforced, because the background checks would have to be conducted by the FBI, who was unwilling to do it alone.