Gun-Free Zones Do Not Make Us More Safe Essay - 2971 Words

GUN-FREE ZONES DO NOT MAKE US MORE SAFE Columbine High School, Littleton, Colorado, 1999; Trolley Square Mall, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2007; Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Virginia, 2007; Westroads Mall, Omaha, Nebraska, 2007; New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2007; Pearl High School, Pearl, Mississippi, 1997. All of these, except Colorado Springs were in areas designated as gun-free zones, places where state, federal, and/or private property laws and regulations forbid people from carrying a firearm, except law enforcement or security personnel. The only difference between the first four incidents and the last two is the gunman was confronted by someone else with a gun before law enforcement could arrive. Do you feel†¦show more content†¦Had she been allowed to carry her handgun into that restaurant, her parents might very well have lived to see another day. Six years later in Pearl, Mississippi, Assistant Principal Joel Myrick was walking to his office when he heard the distinct sounds of gunfire in his school. His instincts were to grab his sidearm. However, federal laws banned him from carrying it on school property (Laugesen, 2007). He watched as the gunman leveled his rifle at students and pulled the trigger. As soon as the gunman heard the sounds of approaching emergency responders, he proceeded with his plan by attempting to flee the high school and make his way to the nearby middle school. While police were dealing with the situation at the high school, he would have the freedom to inflict more deaths (Laugesen, 1999). However, in a heroic act, Myrick had run to his truck to retrieve his handgun, hoping he would not have to use it on a student. As the gunman was fleeing in his mother’s car, Myrick leveled his gun at the shooter and caused him to lose control of the vehicle (Laugesen, 1999). In the heat and adrenaline rush of the moment, a properly trained person was able to save untold lives that day at the middle school and possibly other locations. While he was waiting for law enforcement to arrive, emotions could have justified him pulling the trigger, but his training and moral compassShow MoreRelatedGun Violence And The United States Essay1269 Words   |  6 PagesGun Violence in the United States For many years there has been a growing controversy between two sides. The side that wants to take away our right to have firearms and those that want to keep our rights in place. Because of this, gun violence in the US varies from state to state, depending on current gun laws in each individual state. States with the toughest gun laws are the states with the highest crime rates because of a victim inability to protect themselves. 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