Nicholas Willbanks

October 12, 2015

MC 3520
Gun Control is not the Solution
The shooting at Umpqua Community College in Oregon was a tragedy; my condolences
go out to the families of those involved. We are often met by the agenda of gun control
advocates in the wake of events like this. They push to take away Second Amendment rights of
gun ownership, a fundamental principle that our country was founded upon. While school
shootings are certainly an issue that needs to be addressed, tighter gun related regulation is not
the solution. Instead of taking away the Constitutional rights of American citizens, we as a
country should focus on mental health and public safety at schools.
Media attention brings gun control to the public agenda, but it is important to consider
that media coverage is sensational and will always benefit from fear inducing content. While the
content of the news attempts to scare people away from gun ownership, it is misleading to
promote fear mongering like this. A Gallup poll conducted after the theater shooting in Tucson,
Arizona shows that support for stricter gun laws has dropped over the years. Even with the
increased frequency of public shootings, support for stricter gun legislation is fading. In 1990,
78% of Americans favored gun control. In 2011, only 44% of Americans favored stricter gun
laws. (Public Opinion Context of Tucson Shootings). This decline is drastic, showing gun control
support cut almost in half. Since 1990 public shootings have become almost commonplace, so
why do Americans support gun ownership now more than ever? The answer is simple, people
are afraid. A Pew Research poll taken in 2013 shows that the majority of gun owners today

purchased their firearms for personal safety, not for hunting or recreation. Forty eight percent of
gun owners surveyed reported that they owned a gun to protect themselves and their family
(Why Own a Gun?). The next largest group consisted of gun owners who primarily own firearms
for hunting, which came to a total of 32%. These studies refute arguments in favor of strict gun
control. Even if the United States adopted strict gun control policy firearms would be accessible
through the black market, just like any other prohibited item. It is my belief that mental health
and school safety should be addressed as potential solutions to mass shootings. In order to
address the problem, we must get to the root of it.
Following the 2012 shooting at a Connecticut school, Gallup conducted a poll to survey
potential solutions to prevent school shootings. Respondents favored an increase in police
presence at schools and preventative mental health awareness. These solutions look forward and
aim to prevent another tragic incident. More spending on mental health awareness in early
development years could serve as both a long-term and short-term solution to mass violence. By
educating the public on mental health, we would be able to see warning signs in those who are
not mentally sound. Intervention at an early stage could have drastic effects on the people who
carry out mass shootings. Placing more police in schools would also have a legitimate effect. If
we were to ensure that there is someone nearby to respond to emergencies, we could deter
potential threats and control dangerous situations.
If our goal is to save lives and make our country safer, then gun control is not for
America. Our Founding Fathers placed faith in our right to bear arms. Being able to defend
ourselves against oppressive government is a fundamental right that cannot be taken from us.

Works Cited
"." Gallup.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.
"To Stop Shootings, Americans Focus on Police, Mental Health." Gallup.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12
Oct. 2015.
"Why Own a Gun?" Pew Research Center for the People and the Press RSS. N.p., 12 Mar. 2013.
Web. 12 Oct. 2015.