In Possession: Who and What are Both Responsible

The tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012, that killed twenty six innocent human beings is the outcome of a series of situations that could have been avoided. After numerous of similar shootings that have occurred throughout the history of this country, laws regarding the right to bear arms haven’t changed to protect its citizens. The simple answer to heal the country’s wounds from these tragedies is to stricken the right to bear arms. However, there is a difference between prevention through gun rights and gun control. I believe that Congress should not completely ban firearms; however, I strongly agree with controlling the accessibility of obtaining a gun.
Buying a gun nowadays is almost as effortless as buying food from the grocery store. Anyone over the age of eighteen can buy a gun, including convicts and people with a history of mental illness. This should cause fear among the people of the United States. Think of the loved ones that could potentially be the next victim of a rampage caused by an unstable human being’s outrageous choice. It is unfair for a grieving family, who lost a member of their group, to live through the horrendous doings of a stranger. Twenty six innocent families, where twenty of them lost their child, have to think about the member whose life was snatched away from them.
Some people have thought that the cause of this particular tragedy and some others in the past was because of the mental state of the murderer. Adam Lanza, the perpetrator, was said to have Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism, which is a brain-related developmental problem. This is definitely plays a huge role as to why Lanza committed this crime, which brings us back to the issues of gun control. It isn’t Lanza’s fault that he was born with a brain-related developmental problem, but the fault is at his parents/teachers and the gun laws. If his parents or even adults gave him the help he needed, this entire situation could have been prevented. Also, if gun control were to be stricter, they should ask for health and criminal records, and decide if a person is able to posses a gun. Those in favor of loose gun control need to think about the potential harm that could be placed upon their own families. Some say that it is a given freedom, which is true, but how far can we be free without harming ourselves?
From this recent tragedy, I have realized that something in this country needs to change. Perhaps the 2nd amendment needs to be rewritten, or gun control needs to be stricter, or maybe authority figures should pay more attention to those in need. For some reason, all of these causes are not being changed for the better of the country. The same issues are being debated about every single time a tragedy, like Newtown, occurs. How many more tragedies do we as a country need to go through with?