"The right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed" was bestowed upon U.S. citizens by their founding fathers in the U.S. Constitution.
The Second Amendment has often been at the center of heated debates in politics. Gun control is necessary, and students should be advocating for it.
Following the mass shooting in Las Vegas on Oct. 1 of this year, gun control is in the spotlight of American politics once again. With the U.S. divided almost in half on this issue, it is vital for a solution to be reached.
Gun violence is a major issue in the U.S., and action needs to be taken in order to make it harder for criminals to get access to these weapons. This will foster safer learning environments, and college campuses overall.
Along with the obvious benefits of a safe campus, students are likely to perform better in the classroom when they feel safe. This security allows students to focus more on their education and assignments, which assuages anxiety. Gun safety doesn't just influence students' physical safety, but it also impacts their mental health.
Generally speaking, conservatives believe that the right to bear arms is an essential part of their freedom while those on the left are more likely to support legislation to increase gun control.
Although the ability to bear arms is a constitutional right, guns often cause more bad than good.
CNN published an article in which they stated: "While the United States has about 5% of the world's population, it had 31% of all public mass shootings."
As a result of the large number of shootings in the U.S., students need to be cautious, both on and off campus.
"Always be aware of your surroundings," David Denlinger, deputy chief of police for Maricopa Community Colleges, said. "When I teach, I mention that a lot of people walk around focused on their cellphones, which is a bad habit. (Students should) travel in a group, and let people know where you are."
Being self aware does not prevent dangerous events from happening, however
On Oct. 15 a woman was shot and killed, and three others were wounded near the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus. ASU freshman journalism student, Dev Seawood, was also shot at.
"I found it almost impossible to react in any sort of way when it happened," Seawood said. "It was almost like my mind went completely blank."
No one should be placed in a situation where they fear for their life. It can cause significant stress and anxiety. Gun control has the potential to increase safety across the country on, and near college campuses.
When it comes to on-campus safety, ASU has effective safety measures in place, but there is always room for improvement.
"I do appreciate the initial response of the ASU and Phoenix police, though I feel the lack of attention brought to the event is disheartening. It's not an event that happens every day, and it's certainly something that students are entitled to be made aware of," Seawood said.
While the U.S. tries to reach a gun safety compromise, the public must be vigilant and place a strong emphasis on safety.
Gun safety and regulation has the potential to create a safer and healthier on-campus environment for students. To get involved, students can join organizations that support gun control, and reach out to their state's representatives. Students should advocate for a safer campus where they are able to learn and succeed without fear.
Reach the columnist at adunn11@asu.edu or follow @adrienne_dunn on Twitter.
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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