On Thursday, Feb. 15, I posted a status on Facebook regarding the Florida school shooting. I’ve read the shared articles and even the long, opinionated comment sections. Gun rights, and what we as Americans are should do about it, is a red-flag, ugly issue that we can’t seem to solve. As much as it hurts to say this, it is true that, in our great country, school shootings are common. Regardless of how we got here, our children are dying. There is no debate on the fact that something has to change.
What are we doing about it? I’ve seen comments on Facebook explaining why “they’re not going to touch our guns.” Don’t get me wrong, I love a good debate. But while we’re typing our opinions and staring at a screen, some of our children are going to school and being shot.
We have not fixed the problem. We haven’t gotten anywhere near the finish line. In fact, we haven’t gotten anywhere near saving lives or stopping the next school shooting from happening.
As of Feb. 20, President Trump is pushing for a ban on bump stocks. That’s finally some action, and it makes me hopeful that we can stop screaming at each other and actually do something.
I believe prayers do save lives, and we need to pray. I also believe taking action can save lives, so I would love for America to begin working together to stop the next school shooting. I would love to be proud to be an American again.
I’ve seen opinions on the root of the issue: God is being taken out of schools, access to semi-automatic guns is too flimsy to stop this from happening again, and mental health is not emphasized enough. All of these things are true.
My mother, a registered nurse, is someone I look up to. She explained to me how hard it is to give someone help when it comes to mental health, because of many things such as insurance and the lack of obvious physically evident symptoms. It’s not easy to get — or give — help. I think it’s important to ask the questions, “What would Jesus do? Would he help those in need? Would he make it easier to get help?”
I come from a conservative area where guns are very important for safety and recreation. I know we have background checks, but they’re not working. Dangerous people are still able to buy dangerous guns, and we’re not willing to make it harder to purchase and use them.
What would Jesus do? Would he make it harder? Would he even own a gun? Whatever the answer is, as Christians, we have to ask these questions. If it makes you uncomfortable to ask them, that cognitive dissonance is something to consider.
I urge each and every reader to find your answers. Construct your suggestion. A debate is a debate, but I want answers. Please, talk to your representatives. Keep praying, but start acting.
My prayer is that God gives us the ability to come up with solutions and the courage to take action. I pray that he pushes us to talk to those in power and save our schools.
Written by Wesley Bryant.
