Firearms were the leading cause of death among children and teens in 2020 and 2021, according to the article “Child and Teen Firearm Morality in the U.S and peer countries” posted on the KFF website, an independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.  

 Restrictions and laws
    In spite of these needless gun-related deaths, the government has been removing the restriction of gun control laws that were once put in place 

   Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that states that, as of July 1st, anyone 21 years old or older who can legally possess a firearm, may carry a concealed firearm without a permit.  

   But why is he making it easier for school shootings to occur, for death at the hand of a firearm to happen? We as citizens have the power of election, so why are we still electing and putting people with this type of ideology in power
    Even though you are prohibited from buying a firearm when you are younger than 21 years of age, the government will not prohibit those who are 18-21 from possessing them.  

    “You may carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm if you are 18 years of age or older,” discloses the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Most of our brains don’t stop developing until we’re thirty years old, so why is it possible for a child who is 18 years of age to carry a weapon that could cost somebody’s life? 

How gun control affects gun violence  

    With fewer restrictions comes more gun violence which puts deaths at the hand of firearms at its peak. That being said, why is the government taking restrictions out when they should be putting more restrictions on buying, possessing and selling firearms?  

    With more restrictions come safer homes, schools, and communities. Firearms bought legally with restrictions are already a danger to society. The Nashville shooter, Audrey Hale, who killed 6 people on Monday March 27th, 2023, used three legally bought firearms, according to the article “Here’s what we know about the guns used in the Nashville school shooting” posted on the CNN website. If Audrey Hale ended the lives of 6 innocent human beings with legally bought firearms, what does that say about the gun violence that is easier to occur by having fewer and fewer restrictions? 

Who is gun violence affecting  

   Gun violence is not only affecting students, teachers, and schools. It’s also affecting people who are relaxing in their homes, people who work with the public and people in their cars.  According to the article “Miami man shot in the face after honking at other driver” posted on the CBS news website, a man was on his way to work when a gunman ran a stop sign. The worker honked at the gunman and shortly after he got to the next stop sign where the gunman pulled his car to the side of the road and shot the victim in the face before getting into his car and speeding off.  

 
Gun violence and its effects 

     The effects of gun violence lead to hospitals filled with victims, and families having to leave work because they get a call that their family member is at risk of losing their life.  

    Gun restrictions should be put back, not taken down, because we wake up one day saying goodbye to those we love, telling them to have a safe day, but never imagine that it could be the last day we would ever speak with them again, all because of gun violence.