Two Good Things About Walking Out Of Class Today
There are probably more than two good things about walking out of class this morning but I'll highlight my biggest issues.
THE PROBLEM IS BIG
In 2015 there were about 13,000 people killed in gun violence in the United States. It is also estimated that more folks were killed by guns at home on the homefront in the USA between 1968 and 2011 than during wartime from the War of Independence and the Iraq War. There were about 1.17 million folks killed in all our wars. According to the CDC and Politifact there were about 1.3 million gun related deaths during the period mentioned. You may not like the numbers or question them but it seems clear there are way too many gun related deaths and there are ways to reduce those numbers without the scare tactics, slippery slope arguments used by the NRA to stop reforms. A serious public health study of the issues related to gun ownership is better than ignoring the issue as has been done previously.
CITIZENSHIP REQUIRES ACTION
High school students and adults should use this time wisely to promote needed changes related to gun laws. Keeping the pressure on political leaders by voters and tomorrows voters will make change come faster. Timing is important! The slow walk done by private interests has only lead to gun violence history repeating itself at schools, at homes, and as it relates to criminal behavior. For some walking out of class might mean a check mark for being absent or tardy. Be proud of taking a stand on the side of safer schools. The post mortem of all the screw ups, missed tips, and systematic failures at Parkland need to be addressed. Kids in high school can't vote yet but they and their families need to know they can be safer while in school.
THE PROBLEM IS BIG
In 2015 there were about 13,000 people killed in gun violence in the United States. It is also estimated that more folks were killed by guns at home on the homefront in the USA between 1968 and 2011 than during wartime from the War of Independence and the Iraq War. There were about 1.17 million folks killed in all our wars. According to the CDC and Politifact there were about 1.3 million gun related deaths during the period mentioned. You may not like the numbers or question them but it seems clear there are way too many gun related deaths and there are ways to reduce those numbers without the scare tactics, slippery slope arguments used by the NRA to stop reforms. A serious public health study of the issues related to gun ownership is better than ignoring the issue as has been done previously.
CITIZENSHIP REQUIRES ACTION
High school students and adults should use this time wisely to promote needed changes related to gun laws. Keeping the pressure on political leaders by voters and tomorrows voters will make change come faster. Timing is important! The slow walk done by private interests has only lead to gun violence history repeating itself at schools, at homes, and as it relates to criminal behavior. For some walking out of class might mean a check mark for being absent or tardy. Be proud of taking a stand on the side of safer schools. The post mortem of all the screw ups, missed tips, and systematic failures at Parkland need to be addressed. Kids in high school can't vote yet but they and their families need to know they can be safer while in school.
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