WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1999

Against more gun control

In the wake of the Colorado shootings

The situation at Columbine High School in Colorado is a tragedy. My heart goes out to those who had to endure such a horrendous ordeal. To make it worse, some of the media and certain politicians are exploiting the situation in order to advance their own agenda.

I have heard the rallied cry which claims that this proves we need more gun control, to stop this from happening in the future; and many politicians are crying on Capitol Hill for more legislation.

The plea to emotions at a desperate time are disgusting and are further proof of what little concern the media and politicians actually have for those involved in the tragedy. They are using the situation for their own benefit instead of looking at the problem.

I keep hearing how this was completely unexpected. At the same time, they tell us the boys made a video of killing people at the school and presented it in class, talked about killing people and blowing up the school, talked about the new guns they had obtained, and openly expressed their admiration for Adolf Hitler.

It should have been clear what was going to happen. These monsters were emotionally disturbed. Perhaps their parents had something to do with it. It seems as if their parents certainly didn't do anything to stop them.

Now, because of this, my rights have come into question. My right to keep and bear arms is somehow in jeopardy because there are crazy people who break the law. Yet, when someone makes verbal and written threats, no one thinks of abridging the First Amendment.

That right is absolute. Why does the validity of the Second Amendment have to depend on the acts of lunatics? It is specifically because of people like those in Littleton that we need the right to defend ourselves.

My right for self-defense should not come into question when lunatics go on a rampage, it should be further protected!

In Jonesboro, Ark., a teacher who retrieved his gun from his car stopped the shooting; police didn't arrive for another 10 minutes. In another shooting, it was a parent who heard about the problem and rushed over with a shotgun, holding the shooter at bay until police arrived. In both circumstances the guns were illegally obtained by the kids, and they were stopped by others who had them legally.

If private citizens had not come with their guns to stop the children how many more people would be dead?

That is why guns in the hands of law abiding citizens are necessary for our protection. Criminals, like these, will get guns however they can. They do not get their guns through legal means, thus gun control does not stop them.

More laws won't stop crime from happening. Instead of attacking the Constitution, why not look at the real problem?

- Jessica Kirst

film and electronic arts major

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