Editor’s note: This article is a part of a head-to-head. Read the other article here. 
On Feb. 14, an active shooter descended upon Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The student massacred 17 students and teachers. This is a tragic event, just like all murders, and these children have been severely traumatized after coming face-to-face with evil.
The event resulted in a wave of political discourse on gun control, with students leading the charge. While their anger is completely understandable, their call for gun control doesn’t hit the mark.
Many are calling for the defunding of the National Rifle Association, the confiscation of AR-15 and AK-47 rifles or for the raise in buyers’ age.
For a country that has a gun-centric culture, these ideas are too extreme. Many registered gun owners are not toting their guns around to commit crimes. Most registered gun owners keep guns for hunting, self-defense and marksmanship. All of these activities are completely lawful, and for some, make them feel safer.
America has failed in its duty to teach its children about guns, which are so prevalent in our society. Guns are instruments that can be used correctly, or they can be misused to hurt others.
Guns are just like knives, or any other possibly dangerous item. Knives can be used for different uses, like chopping vegetables in the kitchen. However, some people decide to use knives to murder others, just like some people use guns to murder others.
Everyone needs to be taught how to use a gun responsibly. They need to know the basics before handling one.
People want to increase gun control due to the amount of mass shootings in the U.S. According to the Mass Shooting Tracker, there have been 52 mass shootings in this year alone.
When people think of mass shootings, many picture a person shooting into an open, public area and killing a large number of people. However, a mass shooting is classified as a shooter injuring four or more people, including themselves, during a single incident. The description doesn’t specify what type of gun is used, the circumstances of the event or anything other than the number of dead or wounded.
The statistics concerning gun violence are vague. Any shotgun or handgun could have been used in those shootings. It even could have been some guy shooting his ex and children, or other people, on a personal vendetta. If it wasn’t a gun used, then it would have been another weapon since they had the intent to murder.
The statistics don’t specify that information, but that doesn’t seem to matter, or at least not to misinformed gun control lobbyists. They want to take away AR-15 and AK-47 rifles. What’s next? Will they ban automatic handguns that can be used for the same type of mass shootings if the gunman comes prepared with pre-loaded magazines? With training, it only takes seconds to reload any automatic weapon, including handguns.
According to the National Review, the Parkland shooter used low-capacity magazines that carried only 10 rounds. Some automatic handguns can carry six rounds to about the same amount, causing serious damage in close range areas like classrooms.
Don’t punish the masses for the atrocities of a few. We need to put gun safety into practice. It is reasonable to have a background or psychological exam along with proof of passing a gun safety course. This would ensure correct use of a gun in our society.
Another way to prevent these instances is by not letting others borrow firearms. Even the closest of friends may be unstable. Keep firearms out of the hands of children, unless you are teaching them how to properly use a gun. If this isn’t enforced, then we will continue to have curious children trying to play with something they shouldn’t be playing with.
It all comes down to responsibility, folks. If guns are taught and used the right way, then there will be less problems surrounding them. There will be no need to confiscate guns from lawful citizens, to raise the age of purchase or any other extreme measure.
Abigail Varnado is a 21-year-old English senior from Amite, Louisiana.