Gun Control

Story by Taylor Schmidt »

No one can seem to agree on what to do about gun control. The gun control debate has been pushed to the forefront of discussion following the recent shootings both in Las Vegas and here in Eudora. When the national media covers gun violence, it can be hard for people to relate, especially when it’s so far away. Many people might have said that Eudora is too small for a shooting to happen or that nothing like that could happen to them. That was until two incidents hit a little closer to home.

The first happened right here in Eudora, at D-Dubs Bar and Grill. A Eudora man was shot and killed as a result of an altercation at the bar.

The second shooting was on Massachusetts St. in Lawrence. Five people were shot, leaving two injured and three dead.

The question now is what can be done to prevent and stop these tragedies from happening. This is where the opinions differ. The students here at EHS have their own opinions on what should be done in response to this issue.

“Everyone is blaming the gun for shootings when it’s the idiotic people who do it,” said Senior Weston Trefz.

Camdon Willits, Jr., has a similar opinion.

Willits said, “I think the recent shootings were terrible for this country as a whole. Everyone thinks that it was tragic, but you can’t blame guns.”

Both believe that criminals will still find a way to get their hands on guns, even if laws are put into place to try to prevent this from happening. According to Willits, taking away guns will only harm law-abiding citizens because criminals will continue to obtain firearms illegally.

Senior Haley Hoffman has a different perspective on the gun control debate.

“In my opinion, current gun control laws lack safety, common sense, and proper precaution,” Hoffman said.

She believes that more steps should be implemented in the process of obtaining a gun, such as thorough background checks and mandatory safety classes.

“The measures taken for purchasing a gun should indeed be tasking and take time, because a life is not worth leisure,” Hoffman said.

She was also quick to point out that statistics regarding fatalities caused by guns, mass shootings, and gun-related accidents are noticeably lower in countries with strict gun control laws.

These are just a small portion of the wide range of opinions that not only the students, but the public have about guns and gun control. This makes it very difficult for lawmakers to find a way to keep everyone happy and put a stop to gun violence. Whatever people’s opinions are, most everyone can agree that the shootings were tragic. In spite of the horror and negativity that comes with these tragedies, some people still manage to find a silver lining.

In response to the shooting in Las Vegas, people from all walks of life came together to help others in a time of need. 8.1 million dollars were raised to provide relief and financial support for the victims. Strangers donated blood and supplies to the cause.

The nationwide outpouring of assistance after the shootings demonstrates that the problem is bigger than one or two isolated incidents. Willits sees the current crisis as the result of a larger issue.
“It’s not a gun problem, but rather a mental health problem,” Willits said.