Gun violence takes over America

Shootings seem to be happening more frequently, and happening everywhere. It feels like nowhere is safe.

According to CNN News, within the first 21 weeks of 2018 there were 23 school shootings. It’s horrifying and sad that students everywhere have to fear for their lives while trying to get an education. According to CATO Institute, schools are the second-highest risk location.

Some students are concerned for their safety here on campus. The new glass building isn’t bulletproof, and it is completely see through. If there were ever an active shooter, students in that building will have no chance at hiding, and have no form of protection from those walls. Some rooms have put up screens, so you can’t see into the classroom as much, but in state of an emergency it really won’t do much. In some rooms, windows don’t open which also eliminates the possibly of escaping.

Just on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 26, there was another shooting where tragically two people were killed and 11 were injured in Jacksonville during a video game tournament. According to USA Today, the shooter, David Katz, was taking an “anti-psychotic drug used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia,” yet somehow, he still managed to pass the background check and legally purchase a gun in Maryland. His mental health record clearly showed that he should not be able to do this.

How many more Americans have to be murdered before we do something about the obvious problem we have in our country? Gas stations, schools, movie theaters, churches and now gaming tournaments; where will it end? If we don’t come together as a country and do something about it, it won’t and may just get worse. This man should not have been able to legally purchase a weapon, but he could, and he did. Once again, the system has failed us, leaving more Americans dead, injured, and traumatized by another act of gun violence when it all could have been prevented, if we didn’t hand out guns like candy on Halloween.

Another one just took place this Sunday morning, Sept. 9 near Auburn University where one person was killed and four injured, one of which is a student at the University.

However, some believe that gun control is not necessary.

David Goodson, president of the Coastal Republicans here on CCU’s campus, gave his thoughts on the gun control debate.

“I believe the gun control issue is a joke,” said Goodson. “The Second Amendment gives us the right to bear arms, and it should not be limited because people’s feelings are hurt. As we look throughout each issue involving guns, we see that each time a person bypassed legal limits that are already in place. Gun control will do nothing but limit the reactions of lawful citizens against violent thugs and felons.”

Goodson went on to quote former President Ronald Regan, saying, ‘It’s a nasty truth, but those who seek to inflict harm are not fazed by gun control laws.’

Goodson also suggests a solution to this issue.

“I believe the best way to solve the problem is to arm more people,” he says. “If we allow law-abiding people to carry guns, they will stop violence by killing the person who is trying to inflict harm on others.”

But still, with shootings becoming almost a weekly topic, it’s important that we are always thinking about how to keep everyone on campus safe.

Anyone who would like to learn more about what to do if there is ever a situation like this on our campus can take a course called SAFE training offered by the University and taught by Lt. Robert Pellerin.

“Coastal Carolina University as a whole really takes safety… it’s paramount at Coastal Carolina University,” Pellerin said. “Safety is very, extremely important and that’s whether it’s putting funds into camera systems to help keep this place safe, [or] to put as many law enforcement and security on the road as possible.”

Pellerin says that while the gun control debate and others like are touchy at times, the University is open to discuss these types of issues.

“We welcome students coming in, and talking to us about concerns, also,” says Pellerin. “We don’t shy away from [it], if there’s any concerns that a student has, we want you to come in and talk to us. So, should anybody have any concerns about not feeling safe, it’s important to us for them to communicate to us, so we can address them if it is a problem.