Enough Is ENOUGH
By Team Kwanza Jones
On the morning of April 1st, 2023, the country was once again shaken by another senseless act of gun violence. This time, it happened at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. According to reports, a lone gunman entered the school and opened fire, injuring several people, including students and teachers. The shooter was eventually apprehended by law enforcement, but the damage was already done. As we mourn for the victims of this tragedy and their families, it's important to reflect on the ongoing issue of gun violence in America and the need for stricter gun control laws.
The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution gives citizens the right to bear arms, but that right is not absolute. The government has the responsibility to regulate firearms to ensure public safety. However, the current state of gun control laws in America is far from satisfactory.
According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 43,681 firearm deaths in the United States in 2021. Of these deaths, 3,880 were children and teenagers under the age of 18. That's an average of 11 children dying every day from firearms.
As our leader, Kwanza Jones said:
Parents are not sending their children to school expecting they will not make it home. Teachers, substitute teachers, custodians, educators and more should not have to put their life on the line in order to educate the children...our future. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I'm saddened and continue to be outraged at the circumstances that lead to children, teachers, community members being killed. As my song goes... I've had ENOUGH. My heart aches for the losses and the trauma that the families, friends and community has to endure.
She is right. Enough is ENOUGH… It’s not just the number of deaths that is concerning; it's also the impact of gun violence on the survivors. Children who witness gun violence or are victims of it are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues. They may also suffer from physical injuries and disabilities.
The impact of gun violence on children goes beyond the immediate aftermath of a shooting. It affects their ability to learn, play, and grow. It creates a culture of fear and trauma that can follow them for the rest of their lives.
Gun control measures, such as universal background checks and bans on assault weapons, have been shown to reduce gun violence. According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, states with stricter gun laws have lower rates of gun deaths than those with weaker laws. Another study published in the journal Pediatrics found that states with stricter gun laws had lower rates of unintentional firearm deaths among children.
However, the gun lobby and some politicians continue to resist any efforts to regulate firearms, citing the Second Amendment and the right to self-defense. They argue that gun control measures will only infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens and that criminals will still find ways to obtain firearms.
But the facts show otherwise. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that states with universal background checks had lower rates of firearm homicides and suicides. Another study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that states with laws requiring a permit to purchase a firearm had lower rates of firearm deaths.
It's clear that gun control measures work, and it's time for our lawmakers to take action. We need universal background checks,
bans on assault weapons, and other common-sense gun control measures to protect our children and communities from the devastating impact of gun violence.
In an interview with The Hype Magazine Kwanza said, “…addressing gun violence as a public health issue is not antithetical to protecting civil liberties or the 2nd amendment. Instead, it’s an approach that can help increase the health and safety of communities.” That is one of the many reasons she was inspired to write her song “Enough.” Listen here.
In conclusion, the recent shootings at the Covenant School in Nashville are yet another tragic reminder of the urgent need for stricter gun control laws in America. We cannot continue to allow our children to be the victims of senseless gun violence. It's time for our lawmakers to put the safety of our communities first and pass common-sense gun control measures to prevent further tragedies like this one.
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