How to Prevent Mass Shooting in America According to Nicholas Kristof

Mass shootings have unfortunately been on the rise in the United States over the past decade. According to the article “Preventing Mass Shootings Like The Vegas Strip Attack,” published by The New York Times, action is needed to lower the toll of gun violence in America. The author, Nicholas Kristof claims that politicians are actively working to set stricter laws that would effectively make a difference regarding this senseless act of terror. Although Kristof mentions the demand for action, he leaves out a concerning factor as to why gun control in America is a dead issue. There are no simple fixes, but instead the first step in making a difference is to start with what we have in place today and make it work correctly. In this op-ed, columnist Nicholas Kristof informs his audience that mass shootings have affected society by taking the lives of innocent people as well as making America amoral.

Kristof presents evidence from Australia, stating “Australia suffered a mass shooting in 1996, the country united behind tougher laws on firearms, resulting that the gun homicide rate was almost halved.” Kristof then elaborates that without the help of those who support strong gun laws, gun violence in America will only worsen. He then goes to explain nine steps that could potentially make a difference, if acted on. He states that raising the age to purchase a gun to twenty one, Maryah Tennyson Professor Nephew ENG 1113 26 September 2018 2 providing background checks that include mental health evaluations and prohibiting bump stocks or military type weapons sold to any person not active in the military could collectively decrease this American horror.

Kristof adds that vehicular accidents kill as many people as firearms do. The toll of automobile deaths have been reduced through the production of seatbelts, airbags, lighted roads, highway guardrails and crackdowns on drunken driving; this is an example of intelligent regulations that make lethal products safer. Auto accidents are accidental, shootings of this sort are intentional. Kristof ties this example in with the main idea of this article, stating that politicians should do the same with guns. The author attempts to persuade the readers by listing informative information on ways to unite as a country to toughen gun laws. Although Kristof provides accurate information that is helpful, he seems to leave out a concerning factor that is restricting these laws from being set. The points made are not well conceived. Allowing someone to purchase two guns per month means that in one year the person purchasing the guns would have acquired twenty four guns, which is an insane number. Background checks would only catch the really crazy or criminal individuals, the man in charge of the Las Vegas strip attack was considered to be a normal guy who was able to pass these background checks.

While Kristof makes some valid suggestions, no one can ever predict when someone will go nuts and start shooting. One logical approach would be to view guns through the lens of public health and safety. This, in fact, is not the time to talk about guns, it is the time to act. Kristof suggested reasonable ideas, but the gun lobby is not responsible; we, us Americans are the potential victims. Gun lobbyists insist that they present responsible gun ownership, but if that was the case, we must urge that public safety demands a better understanding of these issues.

These events demonstrate that the only use of assault weapons is to kill humans. Since the manufactures insist on making these weapons purchasable they should take responsibility for their production. Viewing this tragedy as a marketing tool is not a logical approach, it is insanity. As long as money and greed control our politicians, nothing will happen to enact the laws Kristof suggested. The second amendment protects the right of people to keep and bear arms, but too many guns are in the hands of too many who should not have access to them. Guns, potentially more dangerous than ISIS and immigrants, have killed more than 11,000 people this year so far in the United States, but still nothing gets done to prohibit these insensible acts. America as a whole is not safe. We must unite together and elect politicians who support sensible gun laws, we must support access to mental health care.

The current situation America is dealing with is shameful and deadly. Maryah Tennyson Professor Nephew ENG 1113 26 September 2018 4 America is suffering a problem that requires desperate action. It is time that our politicians rise up and demand common sense protection, reducing overall gun violence. America lacks many of the safety nets that keep us individually and collectively safe. If we cannot come together as a nation to protect innocent people and stand up to special interest groups that choose profit over the safety of this country then action will never follow. We must hold the extreme right accountable, it is time to act.

References:

1. Kristof, Nicholas. “Preventing Mass Shootings Like the Vegas Strip Attack.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2 Oct. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/10/02/opinion/mass-shooting-vegas.html#commentsContainer.